When Physician Supply does not Meet Patient Demand: A Looming Epidemic in Vascular and Renal Care for a Community with the Highest Incidence of End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States

Authors

Valentine S. Alia, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Tolu Akinpelu, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Aaron Dadzie, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of MedicineFollow
Shuaibahmed M. Arab, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Robert Sanchez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Aaron Silva, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Christian D. Cerecedo-Lopez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Daniel Albo, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2025

Abstract

Background

South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) are medically underserved-communities near the Texas-Mexico border with the highest incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the nation, and a shortage of available full-time equivalent (FTE) specialty-physicians.

Methods

Data on the incidence/prevalence of ESRD and workforce projections on vascular-surgeons and nephrologists were collected from the United States Renal Data System and Texas Department of State Health Services. We then merged data from both datasets to identify population-specific healthcare-trends.

Results

Texas had the highest rates of ESRD from 2016 to 2020, with its border regions leading the state. By 2032, vascular-surgery and nephrology are projected to have the 1st and 4th worst physician-shortages in the state respectively, with the percentage of these FTE specialty-physicians available to meet the need of the RGV ranging from 42.3 to 58.4 %.

Conclusions

The RGV is experiencing increased rates of ESRD, while having a paradoxical-decline in specialty-physicians available to provide adequate care.

Recommended Citation

Alia, V. S., Akinpelu, T., Dadzie, A., Arab, S., Sanchez, R., Silva, A., ... & Albo, D. (2025). When physician supply does not meet patient demand: A looming epidemic in vascular and renal care for a community with the highest incidence of end-stage renal disease in the United States. The American Journal of Surgery, 240, 115906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.115906

Publication Title

The American Journal of Surgery

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.115906

Academic Level

medical student

Mentor/PI Department

Surgery