The number of family physicians practicing in rural areas across the United States has declined by 11% between 2017 and 2023, according to a recent study. The research tracked the locations of family physicians over a seven-year period and found that while there were 11,847 rural family physicians in 2017, that number had dropped to 10,544 by 2023.
The decline was most pronounced in the Northeast, which saw a loss of 193 rural family physicians—a decrease of more than 15%. In contrast, the West experienced the smallest percentage drop at just over 3%, losing only 67 rural family physicians during the same period.
Lead author Colleen T. Fogarty, MD, professor and chair of the department of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester, commented on these findings: “The findings were as surprising as they are alarming.”
This trend is occurring as more young adults aged 25-44 are relocating to rural areas at rates not seen in nearly a century. Much of this migration has been driven by remote work opportunities and an interest in rural living. However, as these populations grow in smaller cities and counties since 2020, access to medical care may become increasingly difficult due to fewer available doctors.
Family physicians are often central to providing obstetric and pediatric care in rural communities. While their numbers are decreasing overall, one positive development highlighted by the study is an increase in female representation among family physicians. In 2017, women made up 44% of all family physicians; by 2023 that figure had risen to nearly half (49.3%). In rural areas specifically, female representation increased from about one-third (35.5%) in 2017 to over two-fifths (41.8%) in 2023.
Despite this progress toward gender parity, recruiting doctors—regardless of gender—to practice medicine in rural settings remains challenging.
Efforts such as new career pathways and education programs could help address this issue over time. The use of advanced practice providers may also alleviate some pressure on existing rural doctors. Additionally, offering improved compensation packages could support recruitment and retention efforts.
