These states are struggling the most to find primary care physicians

Here are the top 10 states with the greatest need for primary care physicians, according to KFF’s ranking based on the percent of need met:

1. Delaware - 16.36%
2. Missouri - 20.20%
3. Alaska - 21.84%
4. Nebraska - 25.73%
5. New Jersey - 26.93%
6. Washington - 29.56%
7. North Dakota - 32.05%
8. Florida - 33.33%
9. New York - 37.11%
10. South Dakota - 37.93%

The ranking highlights the enormous workforce constraints across the industry. In addition, the COVID-9 pandemic has accelerated a mass exodus of healthcare professionals, with 1 in 5 healthcare workers indicating they plan to quit the job. Healthcare organizations have also trended toward temporary or contract workers in order to fill vacancies.

The unmet needs within some states for primary care also comes as physicians are facing more pressures than ever, including being more impacted by symptoms of burnout. Unfortunately, as much as 14% of physicians said in a recent survey they have had drugs or alcohol while on the job. Almost half of physicians in the same survey said they are at their breaking point or are looking for new work due to stress and trauma endured on the job.

With such low feelings among physicians and high demand to fill vacancies in some states, healthcare organizations need to prioritize mitigating burnout, stress and trauma in the workplace. Some organizations are turning to AI and other technology solutions, but ensuring that solutions come from a top-down approach, with room for healthcare professionals to make their voices heard, is also critical.