Georgia’s coverage gap crisis is causing doctors-in-training to burnout, leave the state

March 27, 2024

Health Students Taking Action Together’s (H-STAT’s) survey of 243 medical students and residents from across the state found that the adverse effects of Georgia’s high rate of uninsured individuals is pushing future doctors away from practicing in the state. While Georgia is a highly attractive place for medical students and residents to train given its diverse patient population and advanced academic medical centers, it is clear that the state’s healthcare system has major issues that need to be addressed. 

Many respondents indicated a grim outlook on the state’s healthcare system. 81% of respondents felt that most Georgians do not have access to quality healthcare. 80% agreed that Georgia’s uninsured rate, which ranks third highest in the U.S., contributes to physician burnout, and half said that it causes burnout to them on a personal level. 

These negative feelings seem to directly impact whether trainees want to stay in the state. Though a majority of respondents would like to stay in Georgia to practice, a third of respondents reported that they would be less likely to practice medicine in Georgia because of the uninsured rate. Nearly half said that they would be less likely to open a private practice because of the uninsured rate.

Respondents shared personal anecdotes about how lack of insurance prevented patients from receiving necessary treatments, leading to exacerbation of their conditions, and in some cases, death. One talked about an uninsured patient who died after being unable to receive a cardiac device, while others described barriers as basic as not being able to afford one’s medicines. 

For some, these obstacles to care can lead to burnout. In the words of one trainee, “Every day I see patients who can't access the care they need because they don't have health insurance, despite being sick and destitute… Without policy changes to give people access to basic needs including expanding Medicaid, nothing I do in the hospital or clinic really matters. I'm tired of watching people die and being powerless to stop it." 

With Georgia lawmakers considering legislation to expand Medicaid coverage, policies to connect more Georgians to health insurance could be part of the solution to strengthen the state’s physician workforce and retain talent. 60% of respondents reported that if Georgia increased access to health insurance, this would somewhat likely or very likely increase their decision to stay. The time is now to expand Medicaid in Georgia.

Survey Results