Five Challenges Facing the US Physician Workforce (And What to Do About Them).

This article outlines 5 major challenges facing the US physician workforce that are especially important in the context of health care reform but have not been featured in the reform debate. Without assuring that sufficient numbers of the right types of physicians are available, reform efforts may not result in increased access to health care. Policy options for addressing these challenges are an important national priority in the context of effective reform of the US health care system.