Why are there such a primary care shortage? It’s a no-brainer:
Nearly half of all physicians come out of medical school with more than $175,000 in debt from student loans. That adds an immediate burden on new doctors who are trying to establish practices, particularly in a rural setting such as northern New York.
“When they are deciding what kind of specialty to turn to, they are going to consider salaries,” Anderson said.
A typical starting salary for a primary-care doctor may be around $170,000, while a specialist may start around $300,000.
