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Shortage of Geriatricians is Money Related
The U.S. has a shortage of geriatric care physicians, in part because salaries for the field are lower than for other specialties. There are fewer than 7,000 geriatricians in the U.S. About 14,000 are needed to meet demand, according to experts. The shortage is expected to worsen as baby boomers age and require care. Annual salaries of geriatricians average about $150,000, while other specialists, such as radiologists or orthopedists, can earn more than $400,000 per year.
In addition, many medical schools have inadequate training in geriatrics because often they have assumed students learn about geriatrics by treating older patients on hospital rounds. As a result, some physicians do not understand the different needs of an elderly patient. With the shortage expected to worsen, geriatricians will likely be reserved for seniors with the most complicated problems, and "nternists and family practice physicians will continue to serve most old people.
Posted by Phil Daigle on February 5, 2007 11:21 AM
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