Doctor Shortage: Why the Gap Is Growing and How Osteopathic Medicine Could Help

• Asia Tabb
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
  Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
  
  Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
  
  Asia is extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to say hi if you see her out and about.

 Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA

AIRED; December 11, 2025

Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation. 

The United States is staring down a massive physician shortage, and the strain is already being felt by patients waiting weeks—or even months—for routine appointments. On The Spark, Dr. Robert Cain, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, explained just how serious the situation has become. “By the end of another decade… we’ll be short 200,000 physicians in the United States,” he said, noting that about 90,000 of those missing doctors would be in primary care alone. He added that without action, “It could feel harder as we move forward if we don’t work to correct that.”

While the pandemic accelerated retirements and burnout, Dr. Cain says this shortage has been building for years, driven largely by an aging population that requires more care and more specialists. At the same time, many rural hospitals and smaller practices have closed, leaving entire communities without providers. “Even if you have the physicians, can they deliver the services that they need to deliver?” he said. Obstetric services in rural regions are among the hardest hit, but mental health, ophthalmology, and general primary care continue to face widening gaps.

To help address the growing need, more students are pursuing careers as Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs. Dr. Cain says osteopathic medical education places a strong emphasis on whole-person care and community-focused service. “We turn out servant physicians,” he explained. “Let the compassion and caring lead first—let the science follow—so I can take good care of these patients.” DOs train in every specialty, just like MDs, but many choose primary care, making them a crucial part of addressing shortages in underserved areas.

Looking ahead, Dr. Cain believes fixing the crisis will require a combination of expanding the workforce, improving training models, and ensuring that facilities remain available where patients need them most. But for students considering medicine, he says the message is clear: “If you’re thinking about health care and you like the idea of whole-person care… then hopefully osteopathic medicine is for you.”