Geriatrics Distribution

Robert C. Bowman, M.D. 12/12/05

The AMA Masterfile does have a listing for those who have geriatrics as their primary activity.

My primary database involves the 1987 - 2000 graduates, about 40% of the US physician workforce

90% of the FP and IM geriatricians graduating from 1987 - 1999 were in urban areas. This includes only those who listed Geriatrics as their primary activity. Including primary and secondary practice activity designations would increase the numbers, but not the distribution. The inclusion of more graduating classes would increase the total numbers beyond the current 38% of the workforce represented by the 1987 - 1999 grads, but would not change the percentage.

I have no knowledge of geriatric PA and NP folks regarding data sources and based on past contact with PA and NP folks as well as the NP psych areas, I doubt these exist.

Breaking down by state locations, there are very few rural geriatricians in any of the states, particularly in the rural states

Other Careers for Recent FP Graduates
24119 All FP Graduates of all types from 1997 - 2003 (FP grad year not medical school grad year)
    537 Did not have a Primary Specialty as FP or 2.23% % Not Primary Specialty FP
        259 or about 1% in Fellowships
            130 FP Sports Med
            8 Other Sports Med
            68 FP Geriatrics 91% likely in urban areas
            51 IM Geriatrics 89% likely in urban areas
        278 or about 1% who have chosen other disciplines
            62 Internal Medicine
            48 Emergency Medicine
            35 Other types
            31 Ob -Gyn
            21 Gen Prev Medicine
            17 Gen Surgery
            14 Gen Practice
            13 Anesthesia
            12 Pediatrics
            11 Psychiatry
            8 Child Psychiatry
            6 Dermatology
            76 Unspecified or Unknown

The numbers of FPs will decrease slightly over time, but retention is 98% in the early phase, even for those who were "forced" to choose FP by health policy related to managed care which impacted this group. The medical school graduates of 1995, 1996, and 1997 or 1998 - 2001 FP grads in this group with impact on 1997 and 2002 also were impacted the most. Virtually this entire group.

86% of this group is in office based practice and more likely 92% when the not classified and non-responders are adjusted. This compares to 76% for office based general pediatrics and 50% for office based general internal medicine.

Email for Questions

Robert C. Bowman, M.D.
[email protected]

Sources of the Current US Physician Workforce - Essential specialty estimates and sources, geriatrics

Physician Workforce Studies

www.ruralmedicaleducation.org