As stated by the WHO, an important dimension of quality healthcare is that it is accessible. Appropriate care should be readily available to patients when they need it and in a location that is accessible to them. Inevitably, a lack of physicians will have a negative impact on the accessibility of healthcare, ultimately harming the overall quality of care. The health system becomes a market forced to ration medical care due to inadequate physician manpower. Physician shortages lead to increased waiting times at hospitals and medical facilities, as well as an extended wait for appointments. It can also mean that patients may have to travel long distances in order to see their physician and/or receive medical care. New patients may be unable to find a regular physician due to overburdened doctors no longer accepting new patients. This in turn can prevent the development of long-term physician-patient relationships, further hindering the quality of medical care.

Studies have suggested that physician shortage is a major factor causing overcrowding in emergency departments. Such overcrowding has reportedly led to dissatisfaction in patients, prolonged pain and suffering of patients, longer waiting times, poorer safety and generally poorer medical outcomes.^1,2,3 In Israel and in many countries throughout the world, this phenomenon has been associated with an increase in "hallway patients", which in turn results in a lack of privacy and a lower standard of care for patients.  

¹ R. W. Derlet, “Overcrowding in the nation’s emergency departments: Complex causes and disturbing effects” Annals of Emergency Medicine Vol. 35, Issue 1 , Pages 63-68, January 2000

² R. W. Derlet & J. R. Richards, “Emergency Department Overcrowding in Florida, New York, and Texas” Southern Medcial Journal, Vol. 95, Issue 8, August 2002

³ F. Lowry, “Massachusetts' Universal Healthcare Coverage Reveals Serious Shortage of Primary Care Physicians”, Medscape Medical News, accessed on 10^th April 2011