Shortage of endrocrinolgist in PA

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

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pnd news briefs - philadelphia metro edition ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a daily round-up of local and national medical news

september 13, 2006

at a time when cases of diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis are rising dramatically, pennsylvania may be approaching a shortage of endocrinologists.

there are just 55 endocrinologists in philadelphia, some of whom do only research, while a patient in the city may need to wait eight months to see an endocrinologist and three to see a nurse practitioner, reported the inquirer. a 2005 study by the hospital association of pennsylvania showed a 22 percent vacancy rate for endocrinologists, the highest of any specialty, compared to a 12 percent vacancy rate nationwide, the inquirer noted. the falling number of endocrinologists is part of a trend that experts blame on retiring doctors and salaries that fall below those of other specialties, the inquirer added.

philadelphia inquirer, september 13, 2006

read on...

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my family lucky...only took us 2 months for new patient appointment, but i had to search around as ran into scheduling issues as descibed above.