Healthcare Shrinkflation: Patients Getting Less Face-Time with Clinicians

The U.S. healthcare system is facing a crisis of “shrinkflation,” where patients are paying more for healthcare but receiving less in return. Long wait times for appointments and shorter face-time with clinicians are becoming the norm, leading many to seek alternative options such as urgent care clinics or telehealth services.

A recent Axios-Ipsos survey found that nearly one in five respondents had to wait more than two months to see a primary care physician or specialist, with the longest waits in the Midwest. NYC Health + Hospitals has even instructed primary care doctors to cut appointment times in half to accommodate more patients, reflecting the strain on the system.

Specialties such as neurology, ear, nose, and throat, psychiatry, and OB/GYN are also experiencing long wait times, with 43% of patients reporting longer wait times since the pandemic. The surge in demand for in-person care, coupled with a shortage of doctors due to burnout and retirement, has created a perfect storm in the healthcare industry.

Health systems are trying to ramp up training, recruitment, and retention of doctors, but the demand continues to outpace supply. Technology and at-home care solutions are being explored as potential remedies to alleviate the strain on the system.

Concierge practices that offer more personalized care for a fee are becoming increasingly popular, but they also exacerbate existing inequities in healthcare access. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, it remains to be seen how the industry will adapt to meet the needs of patients effectively.