Family physicians are departing rural areas: report

Healthcare DIVE December 2, 2025
Susanna Vogel

Between 2017 and 2023, the share of family physicians working in rural areas dropped 11%, according to a new study.

Dive Brief:

The share of family physicians working in rural areas decreased 11% from 2017 to 2023, according to a study published this month in the Annals of Family Medicine.
The Northeast saw the greatest loss in rural family physicians over the study period at 15.3%, while the West lost just 3.2% of rural family doctors.
The data adds to concerns about physician shortages nationwide. America is expected to need more doctors than ever by 2030 to care for aging Baby Boomers, yet physicians say they’re struggling to hire and retain qualified talent amid high levels of burnout.

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