Future supply and demand for oncologists: challenges to assuring access to oncology services.

Erikson C, Salsberg E, Forte G, Bruinooge S, Goldstein M. Future supply and demand for oncologists: challenges to assuring access to oncology services. Journal of Oncology Practice. 2007;3(2):79-86.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/JOP.0723601

An ASCO study of the oncologist workforce conducted in the mid-1990s found that supply and demand were in equilibrium. The current analysis shows a similar balance in 2005, but projects that this balance will not be sustained into the future. New data on physician supply gathered from surveys of practicing oncologists, oncology fellows, and fellowship program directors were analyzed, along with 2005 American Medical Association Masterfile data on practicing medical oncologists, hematologists/oncologists, and gynecologic oncologists, to determine the baseline capacity and to forecast visit capacity through 2020.