MMA Board Considers MN Physician Workforce Data

May 8, 2025

On May 3, as part of its ongoing efforts to understand trends and changes in the Minnesota physician workforce, the MMA Board of Trustees discussed a recent analysis of workforce data presented by representatives of the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Healthcare Workforce Analysis Group. 

Contrary to anecdotal stories, the number of licensed physicians in Minnesota has increased by 8,910 or 31.3% between 2010-2024. There are now more than 29,000 actively licensed physicians in the state, about 23,000 of whom are involved in a direct patient care position.  

The rate of increase in physician licensure has been outpaced over the same time period, however, by the increase in licensure among PAs (67.9%) and APRNS (52.9%), reported Teri Fritsma, PhD. She was joined in her presentation by fellow MDH staffers: Zora Radosevich and Nitika Moibi, MPP. 

The geographic distribution of physicians remains a challenge, especially in the following specialties: there are .5 psychiatrists; 1.1 pediatricians; and 1.1 OB/GYNs per 100,000 people located in rural areas of the state. Overall, 4.4% physicians practice in rural parts of the state; 15% of Minnesotans live in rural parts of the state. 

Nineteen percent of physicians reported that they intend to leave the workforce in the next one to five years, with nearly 10% reporting burnout/dissatisfaction as the reason. The main reason for dissatisfaction stems from “paperwork demands” being too high, followed by “management doesn’t listen to my concerns.”  

The presentation and Board member discussion will help inform ongoing MMA advocacy efforts.