“We should expand research and training opportunities in this region.  We have wonderful clinical facilities that are ideally suited to train the next generation of physicians and to advance scientific knowledge that will improve the health of our citizens. However, we have not capitalized on those aspects.  We need strong research infrastructure that will allow us to maintain and extend the cutting edge of diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventative care. 

– Dr. Katherine Tuttle, Medical and Scientific Director, Providence Medical Research Center

The United States is facing a significant and growing physician shortage. Our country will face a shortage of almost 160,000 physicians by 2025. In Washington State, the need is even more acute because we already import 80% of our physicians from other states. One of the major reasons for this is the lack of growth in medical education combined with a growing and aging population. As Baby Boomers retire, physicians are exiting the workforce at a faster rate than they are entering it. The current ratio of doctors to the population already represents a shortage and this will only get worse. In addition, eastern Washington in particular suffers from a shortage of primary care physicians who are desperately needed in rural areas.

• Rural parts of Eastern Washington are predominantly served by primary care physicians. The percentage of physicians choosing primary care is decreasing sharply. Replacing retiring doctors will be a significant challenge.
• Compared with the US average of 20.2 physicians per 10,000 people, eastern Washington only has 17.7 per 10,000 people. The rate of physicians practicing here has not kept up with population growth in our region.
• Eight rural counties in eastern Washington have the most severe shortage of physicians in the state, while others are below state and national averages. This is predicted to worsen in the coming years.
• Studies show that completing both medical school and residency in an area provides the greatest likelihood a physician will settle in an area.
• Increasing capacity in our graduate medical education programs here in Spokane will maximize the number of physicians who remain in Eastern Washington to practice.
• It takes at least 7 years after college to grow a doctor. Because of the length of medical education, there is a sense of urgency to expand the WWAMI program in Spokane now.