Seton Doctor Study
An Austin hospital group has released a survey that finds 1 in 4 Central Texans should expect to have a difficult time finding at least one type of doctor in the coming year. The Seton Family of Hospitals survey also found patients running into doctors refusing new patients or not accepting a specific type of insurance. Gregg Hartman is a Seton Senior Vice President. He says Central Texas is getting more people but not that many new doctors.
“We’re growing obviously here in Central Texas. There have been some recent reports out that some of our counties strictly Hays and Williamson counties are some of the fastest growing counties in the entire country and Travis County continues to grow as well on its own,” Hartman said.
He adds that the population is also living longer. And that could lead to a shortage of physicians sooner than later.
“And as anyone knows who’s starting to get a little older, the older you get the more medical care you need and in particular the more care you need that might be for a little more complex issues. And so that’s what I think that’s beginning to create this bigger demand in addition to just our regular growth,” he said.
Hartman estimates the area could need as many as 3000 new doctors by 2020. He says that shortage could include both primary care doctors and specialists.
