In fact, "from April 2009 to March 2010, the company...received 179 requests for psychiatrists -- a 47% increase from the previous year and 121% increase from the 2006-2007 survey." Steven Schlozman, chair of the American Psychiatric Association Council on Medical Education and Lifelong Learning, explained that even though "the number of students who have gone into psychiatry in the past five years has actually increased slightly...more students are entering medical fields, such as dermatology and radiology." Kurt Mosley, of Merritt Hawkins, "says it's 'the perfect storm right now' as more than half of all psychiatrists age 55 and older are nearing retirement, and there aren't enough physicians to take their spots."

Related Links:

- Of medical specialties, demand for psychiatrists growing fastest," Stephanie Steinberg, USA Today, July 1, 2010.