Physician Attrition Rates Impact Psychiatry, Primary Care, and OB/GYN Specialties Most Significantly

A comprehensive nationwide study has revealed an increasing trend in physician attrition from clinical practice between 2013 and 2019. The research analyzed data from over 712,000 doctors caring for Medicare beneficiaries across various specialties, including primary care, medical specialties, surgical fields, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), hospital-based disciplines, and psychiatry. The primary measure was physician exit from clinical practice without reentry for at least three years.

Findings showed that the overall attrition rate rose from 3.5% in 2013 to 4.9% in 2019, affecting both male and female physicians across urban and rural settings, and in all geographic regions. Notably, psychiatrists, primary care providers, and OB/GYN specialists were identified as having the highest risk of leaving clinical practice compared to hospital-based specialists.

Additional factors linked to higher attrition included physicians practicing in rural areas and regions outside the Northeast, as well as Medicare beneficiaries with higher risk scores, older age, and a greater proportion of dual-eligible individuals. These insights highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining a robust physician workforce, especially in key primary care and mental health fields, amid existing shortages and access issues.

The study underscores the urgent need for targeted policies and interventions to support physicians in these vital specialties to ensure continued access to quality healthcare for diverse populations.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-psychiatry-primary-obgyn-subspecialties-hardest.html