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Doctor shortage a serious problem for CEOs

Healthcare Strategist Trend Watch, May 11, 2007

More than two-thirds of hospital CEOs who responded to a recent survey say physician shortages are a serious concern, and three out of four expressed worry about the low number of nurses entering the field.

Of those surveyed, 96% favor an expansion of physician training, and 99.5% favor an increase in the output of nurses. The results of the survey have been released at a time when the federal government is mulling cutbacks in the physician and nurse training budgets. Three percent of CEOs say there is no shortage of physicians in the U.S. and less than 1% can say the same for nurses.

Eighty-six percent of CEOs say their hospital is currently recruiting physicians, while 89% are seeking nurses. The majority of those searching for nurses say they require nurses with four-year degrees.

AMN Healthcare, the nation's largest healthcare staffing company, interviewed 400 CEOs for the survey, which was carried out on behalf of the Council on Physician and Nurse Supply.

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