An expanding and aging U.S. population is one of the main forces driving the shortage of physicians, including allergists.
Allergists make an average annual income of around $298,000 and training programs have slowly been growing. However, the number of programs is still below previous levels in the 1990’s.
Here are some of the most important things to know about the allergist shortage.
In 2021, the
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Association of American Medical Colleges
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report into physician supply and demand originally predicted shortfalls of 124,000 physicians by 2034. The AAMC updated this prediction in 2024, projecting shortfalls of 13,500 to 86,000 physicians by 2036. It also predicts a shortfall of up to 5,500 specialists, including allergists, though it noted that some scenarios could result in a surplus of certain specialists.
However, 2024’s updated estimates are based on hypothetical growth scenarios, including expected growth in the number of national medical residency positions.
Without increased investment in graduate medical education, the AAMC states that shortfalls may be much more similar to the 124,000 deficit predicted in 2021.
Shortages remain more acute in rural areas
In 2022, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) predicted the adequacy rate for meeting the demand for allergists and immunologists would be 90% by 2035.
However, shortages
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and may continue to be more pronounced in rural areas. For instance, the HRSA also projects physician adequacy to be 48% in nonmetropolitan areas in 2035, compared to 99% in metropolitan areas.
The allergist workforce is aging alongside its patients
The medical workforce is aging, with
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Association of American Medical Colleges
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aged 55 or over, including the 17% of physicians who are 65 years old or more.
Similarly, the United State’s population is also aging, while allergic conditions may be becoming more common in older adults globally, compounding demand.
Allergic disease burden is on the rise
Allergic diseases are on the rise worldwide, with significant burden in the United States. The United States may also have the highest number of asthma cases, alongside India.
As the medical industry struggles to address reduced physician supply, demand for care simultaneously increases.
Burnout continues to play a role in shortages
Around 49% of allergists report feeling burned out in Medscape’s Allergist Lifestyle, Happiness & Burnout Report 2023.
The
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American Medical Association
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national physician comparison report estimated that one-third of all physicians were considering reducing their work hours or leaving medical practice altogether in 2023, the with AMA citing burnout as one of the key factors.
Supporting the threat of burnout on physician shortages, 29% of burned out allergists surveyed reported reducing their work hours. A total of 7% of respondents also stated that they were considering early retirement or leaving practice completely when asked about solutions for burnout in a small survey among AAAAI fellows and members.
Allergists are looking for work-life balance
Of allergists surveyed by Medscape, only 43% reported having a positive work-life balance in 2022. Much of this may be reflected in the number one reason for burnout – bureaucratic tasks.
A 2023 report from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) concluded that a majority of fellows-in-training make the decision to pursue allergy and immunology during residency. One of the most common factors for helping them make the decision was work-life balance.
Compensation may not motivate residency choices
Among allergists surveyed in Medscape’s Allergist Compensation Report 2024, only 18% said that potential pay had been a main or leading factor in picking allergy and immunology as a medical student.
Similarly, salary prospects weren’t a common deciding factor for joining the specialty in the AAAAI’s 2023 report. More popular motivations, alongside work-life balance, included clinical aspects of the field, research opportunities, and mentorship.
More research is needed to confirm whether potential pay isn’t a key deciding factor due to medical students prioritizing other motivations, or foreseeing the specialty’s future pay as unattractive.
Allergists and organizations are turning to advanced practice clinicians for help
Specialty practices, including allergists, have been
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employing advanced practice professionals such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants to expand patient care and shift workload from physicians.
About 14% of surveyed allergists reported hiring additional staff in the last year to ease their amount of work.
Telehealth may have multiple benefits for coordinating medical practice. However, many professionals highlight limitations that seem to dampen any positive impact on physician shortages.
The potential to expand medical access for underserved populations, such as rural areas, has been a key concept in telehealth implementation. However, many rural areas face barriers like internet connection issues and low computer literacy in older adults.
Computerization of practice was also the third most commonly cited cause of burnout among allergists surveyed in 2023. In the survey among AAAAI fellows and members, 25% said electronic medical records (EMR) were their biggest challenge.
The AAMC predicts a shortfall of up to 5,500 specialists by 2036 — if graduate medical education receives further investment.
As improvements to allergist shortages are slow, experts call for solutions like:
- improved investment in graduate medical education
- solutions to improve specialist burnout, work-life balance, and mentorship and research opportunities
- better support for rural professionals
- reducing burdens from computerized practice
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