The United States healthcare system faces a growing crisis as physician practices and medical groups struggle with persistent staff shortages. A new analysis by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) reveals that despite an overall surge in patient visits, staffing levels remain stagnant or even worsen for many clinics across the country.
This situation is creating a dangerous squeeze on already stretched medical professionals and threatens access to essential healthcare services for patients. The AMGA’s 2025 Medical Clinic Staffing Survey paints a stark picture: the median number of total clinic staff per provider (including physicians and advanced practice clinicians) remains at a meager 2.19 full-time equivalent employees, virtually unchanged from last year.
This persistent staffing shortage is not merely a statistic; it reflects a deeper, multifaceted problem plaguing the healthcare sector. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an unprecedented wave of worker departures across industries, including healthcare, as individuals reevaluated their career priorities and sought better work environments. Simultaneously, provider burnout reached alarming levels due to overwhelming workloads and increasing administrative burdens.
The AMGA survey underscores these trends, revealing that staffing ratios per 10,000 work relative value units (wRVUs) — a standardized measure of physician service value — have declined in primary care specialties by 4.8% compared to the previous year. While medical and surgical specialties experienced slight increases, they remain insufficient to offset the overall decline seen across the sector over the past three years.
Compounding this issue is the surge in patient demand currently sweeping the nation. Many individuals delayed routine check-ups, outpatient procedures, and surgeries during the height of the pandemic. This pent-up need for care has now collided with an already strained healthcare system, further intensifying pressure on clinics and their limited staff.
The consequences of this crisis are evident in various facets of healthcare delivery. Health insurance companies nationwide report historically high costs, particularly within Medicare Advantage plans targeting older adults. AMGA data reveals a disturbing rise in turnover rates for crucial support staff such as registered nurses and medical assistants, hovering between 17% and 18%. The AMGA attributes this increase to heavy workloads and ongoing burnout among healthcare providers and staff.
In response to these pressures, many medical groups are increasing reliance on advanced practice clinicians (APCs) like nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, and certified nurse anesthetists. While the percentage of APCs within provider workforces has risen by over 7% in recent years, particularly in states allowing independent practice without physician supervision, this strategy alone isn’t sufficient to bridge the substantial staffing gap.
AMGA Consulting Chief Operating Officer Mike Coppola underscores the gravity of the situation: “Even with the increased recruitment of APCs coupled with additional visits overall, medical groups continue to grapple with staffing challenges to support the delivery of care.” This trend, he predicts, will likely persist for the foreseeable future unless systemic solutions are implemented to address the underlying factors driving this crisis.
The AMGA report serves as a stark warning: without decisive action to alleviate physician practice staffing shortages, access to quality healthcare for millions of Americans hangs precariously in the balance.
