Young docs lacking - Short Takes - number of young physicians in the state of Pennsylvania has dropped - Brief Article

Physician Executive, May-June, 2003 by James A. Hawkins

The Pennsylvania Medical Society is concerned about a decade-long drop in the number of young physicians practicing in the state.

According to the society, the percentage of physicians in the state under the age of 35 dropped from more than 12 percent in 1989 to less than five percent in 2000. In 1989, Pennsylvania was ranked 12th in the nation in the percentage of young physicians. By 2000, that ranking had dropped to 41 st.

Much of the decline in young physicians is attributed to the unfavorable malpractice climate in Pennsylvania.

James A. Hawkins is a health care writer based in Aiken, S.C. He can be reached by phone at (803)414-2062 or by e-mail at hir@ix.netcom.com.