The U.S. will run short of critical-care physicians known as intensivists as demand for the emerging specialty outpaces supply, according to a report by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration. The number of intensivists will rise to a projected 2,800 by 2020, from about 1,900 in 2000. If the proportion of intensive-care patients treated by such specialists grows to a "more optimal" two-thirds, from about one-third today, demand for intensivists will reach 4,300, the report said.
The HRSA said additional financial incentives might be needed to alleviate the shortage as well as increased use of remote monitoring by intensivists. The American College of Chest Physicians, which posted the report on its Web site, said it and other critical-care societies are working with lawmakers to develop solutions. Download the report.
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