Michigan report raises concern about doctor shortage

5/4/2009

LANSING, Mich. A new survey suggests Michigan faces a growing shortage of physicians.

The Michigan Department of Community Health said Monday about 62 percent of doctors providing patient care in the state reported their practices were full or nearly full in 2008. That's up from about 42 percent of physicians in 2005.

The survey found the number of new primary care physicians in Michigan barely is keeping pace with the number of physicians leaving the work force. The percentage of physicians who plan to stop practicing within the next decade is increasing.

About 85 percent of physicians report they provided care to Medicaid patients. That is down from 87 percent in 2007 and 89 percent in 2006.