The Primary Care Shortage and ER Overcrowding

Brought to you by MHA@GW: MHA degree

The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that by 2020, the U.S. faces a shortage of more than 45,000 primary-care physicians. This, coupled with recent studies suggesting that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act may in fact increase emergency room visits, means that more Americans may turn to the emergency room for non-urgent care as well as serious medical crises. But ER overcrowding isn't just a nuisance: it compromises high-quality care for those in need of immediate assistance and constitutes a serious financial liability for patients and providers alike. 

MHA @ GW, the online MHA degree program offered through the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, created this infographic to detail some of the major causes behind emergency room overcrowding, examine its effect on care delivery, and explore possible solutions.

Emily Newhookis the community relations manager for the online MHA program (MHA @ GW) and the online master of public health (MPH @ GW) offered through the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University.