The doctor shortage is often described as a future problem. But in many of America’s fastest-growing communities, it has already arrived.

Consider Cypress, Texas, about 25 miles northwest of Houston. One of its ZIP codes is now the fourth most populous in Texas. That growth brings new homes and businesses, and new demand for essential services, including healthcare.

The visible impact of doctor shortages on medical care is increased patient loads. With doctors booked out months for appointments, patients end up turning to urgent care or emergency rooms for conditions that could be addressed earlier in a primary care office. Overbooked doctors also have less time to listen carefully and look for subtle symptoms. Over time, that can affect the quality of care and compassion doctors provide.

Nationally, the average wait for a family medicine appointment has reached 23.5 days, up 14% since 2022, according to AMN Healthcare. The Texas Department of State Health Services projects that by 2036, the state will need approximately 37,900 primary care doctors but will have only about 21,800, leaving 42% of demand unmet.

The Problem Isn’t Just Too Few Doctors

Cypress reflects a mismatch between how quickly populations grow and how slowly the doctor workforce follows. A new housing development can be built in months. Training a primary care doctor takes roughly 11 years, with the traditional pathway including four years of undergraduate education, followed by four years of medical school and at least three years of residency training.

If growing communities such as Cypress struggle to recruit enough doctors, the challenge is even greater in rural and underserved areas.

This is why I believe America’s doctor shortage should be viewed as an infrastructure planning issue. When we build new communities, we plan for roads, schools, utilities and public safety. We also need to plan for doctor workforces.

Planning for the Doctors America Needs

For nearly five decades, St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada has been educating doctors who go on to serve U.S. communities. Our experience reveals three principles to help communities plan for medical care needs:

First, incorporate healthcare capacity into community planning.

When cities and regions anticipate significant population growth, doctor availability should be part of the discussion alongside other essential infrastructure.

Second, expand residency training opportunities where doctors are needed most.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently awarded 400 Medicare-funded residency positions, part of 1,200 positions authorized by Congress since 2021. This represents progress, but more capacity and thoughtful geographic distribution will be necessary.

Third, support every proven pathway that produces qualified doctors for American communities.

For 13 consecutive years, SGU has been the largest provider of new doctors to the U.S. healthcare system. Roughly two-thirds of SGU’s medical graduates enter primary care specialties.

Importantly, graduates of international medical schools must pass the same U.S. medical licensing examinations and meet the same residency training and licensure requirements as graduates of U.S. medical schools before practicing independently.

International medical education is not a future or theoretical solution to America’s doctor shortage. It is already an important part of the solution.

From Medical Education to Community Health

Cypress demonstrates what many American communities may experience in the years ahead. Population growth is a sign of economic vitality, but access to healthcare does not automatically follow.

America needs a longer-term commitment to doctor workforce planning, expanded residency opportunities and continued support for proven medical education pathways.

We would never build thousands of homes without planning for roads and schools. We should apply that same foresight to ensure the families in those homes can see a doctor when they need one.