By Arun Bansal, MD · Published · Last updated
Key takeaways
- JAMA reports the U.S. is roughly 15,000 primary care physicians short today, with the gap projected to reach about 70,000 by 2038.1
- More than 30% of U.S. adults have no usual source of primary care, which makes routine tests and prescriptions harder to get.12
- Having a doctor who knows you means problems get caught early and decisions are made with you, not around you.
- You can act now: pick a doctor, book a yearly visit, and choose a practice where you can call or text.
If you have tried to book a new-patient visit lately and been told “the next opening is in four months,” you are not imagining things. This week, JAMA published a sobering look at the growing primary care shortage in America.1 Here is what it says, and what it means for you and your family.
What is the primary care shortage?
According to JAMA, the country is about 15,000 primary care physicians short, and about 92 million people live in areas with a shortage. By 2038 the gap could grow to roughly 70,000. The share of primary care doctors accepting new patients fell 25% between 2013 and 2021, and nearly 2,000 primary care residency slots went unfilled in 2026.1
Why is it so hard to find a primary care doctor?
The article points to several causes: primary care is paid less than many specialties, medical school debt averages around $200,000, and paperwork and billing demands push burnout rates to about three times those of other specialties. Independent practices are also being absorbed by large systems or closing altogether.1 The result is shorter visits, longer waits, and fewer doctors who truly know their patients.
What happens to your health without a regular doctor?
Harvard Health notes that people without a primary care doctor can be more vulnerable to serious problems and may struggle to get regular tests and prescriptions.2 We see it in the exam room: a blood pressure number that creeps up for years, a medication that is never reviewed, a vaccine that is skipped because nobody asked.
The need is timely. Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has passed 1,100 cases this year, and JAMA reports MMR doses there roughly doubled as families rushed to vaccinate.3 Fall flu, COVID, and RSV decisions are also more personal this year, because recommendations depend more on your age and risk, and national guidance is in flux.4 Those are exactly the conversations a doctor who knows you can have in five minutes.
How can you stay healthy despite the shortage?
You cannot fix the national workforce, but you can protect your own care. Here is what we encourage:
- Choose one doctor and stay with them. Continuity is where early detection happens.
- Book a yearly visit before you are sick. Proactive care beats emergency care every time.
- Bring a short list. Medications, questions, and what worries you most.
- Ask how you can reach your doctor. A quick call or text often resolves what would otherwise become an urgent care trip.
- Make decisions together. Good care is a conversation, not a lecture.
Why does direct access to your physician matter?
The shortage is largely a story of time: too many patients, too little of it per patient. At DocTalker, we built our practice around the opposite idea. You can call or text your doctor, get same-week visits, and have unhurried conversations where your goals and preferences shape the plan. That is not a luxury. It is how primary care is supposed to work.
Need a doctor who answers?
Call or text DocTalker Family Medicine today and ask about a same-week visit. Let’s make a plan for your health, together.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the primary care shortage?
JAMA reports a shortage of about 15,000 primary care physicians now, projected to reach about 70,000 by 2038.
What if I do not have a primary care doctor?
Choose a practice that is accepting patients, schedule a baseline visit, and ask how to reach your doctor between visits. Without one, routine tests and prescriptions can be harder to manage.
Do I still need a yearly visit if I feel fine?
Yes. Many conditions, such as high blood pressure and prediabetes, have no symptoms early, and a yearly visit is also when vaccines and screenings get reviewed.
Can I really call or text my doctor?
At DocTalker, yes. Direct access means many questions are answered quickly, and visits are available the same week.
References
- Cahan E. Inside the Growing Crisis of Primary Care. JAMA. Published online October 16, 2026. jamanetwork.com
- Harvard Health. Navigating a doctor shortage. 2026. health.harvard.edu
- Demand for Vaccination Increases Amid Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak. JAMA. October 16, 2026. jamanetwork.com
- AAMC. A guide to fall vaccines. 2026. aamc.org
This post is for general education and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.