Dr. Bedri Yusuf, a Georgia-based physician executive, urges healthcare systems, clinicians, and communities to rethink how medicine is practiced to protect patients and sustain the physician workforce.

DULUTH, GA / ACCESS Newswire / February 10, 2026 / Dr. Bedri Yusuf, an experienced physician executive and board-certified internal medicine physician, is raising awareness about the growing physician workforce shortage and the urgent need for healthcare systems to change how they support doctors and care teams.

After more than 25 years in clinical practice and senior leadership roles, Dr. Yusuf says the issue is no longer theoretical. It is already affecting patient access, quality of care, and clinician well-being nationwide.

"This is not just about not having enough doctors," Dr. Yusuf said. "It is about losing good physicians because the system makes it harder and harder to do meaningful work."

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. At the same time, studies show that nearly 1 in 3 physicians plans to reduce work hours or leave clinical practice within the next few years. Burnout rates remain above 50 percent in many specialties.

Dr. Yusuf believes these numbers reflect system failures, not individual shortcomings.

"When large numbers of committed professionals are struggling, the problem is structural," he said. "Burnout is a signal. It tells us the system needs to change."

During his tenure as Chief Physician Executive at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, Dr. Yusuf led initiatives that reduced provider turnover by more than 50 percent. He credits those results to listening to physicians, redesigning workflows, and treating engagement as a retention strategy rather than a survey exercise.

"Physicians want to be heard," he said. "Stay interviews and regular conversations matter more than exit interviews. By the time someone leaves, it is often too late."

Dr. Yusuf also points to operational inefficiency as a hidden driver of workforce stress. Poor patient flow, delayed discharges, and constant firefighting increase workload without improving care.

"Doctors are trained to manage complexity, but chaos is different," he said. "When systems lack coordination, clinicians absorb that stress."

One solution he has championed is the Care Traffic Control Center, a centralized approach to managing patient flow similar to air traffic control. Under his leadership, hospitals using this model reduced length of stay by more than 20 percent and improved throughput by 30 percent.

"Better flow is not about moving faster," Dr. Yusuf said. "It is about removing delays that add no value and increase risk."

Beyond operations, Dr. Yusuf emphasizes the importance of leadership development and flexibility. He believes healthcare systems must adapt to changing expectations around work-life balance and career paths.

"Flexibility is no longer optional," he said. "Sustainable careers produce better care over time."

Dr. Yusuf is encouraging healthcare professionals, leaders, and community members to take action in practical ways:

• Physicians can speak openly about workload challenges and participate in leadership discussions.

• Healthcare leaders can invest in physician engagement, team-based care, and operational redesign.

• Patients and families can support care teams by understanding system pressures and advocating for respectful, coordinated care.

"Everyone has a role," Dr. Yusuf said. "Healthcare works best when people see themselves as part of the solution."

He stresses that meaningful change does not require politics or blame, but commitment and accountability.

"We do not need perfect answers," he said. "We need the courage to do things differently."

About Dr. Bedri Yusuf
Dr. Bedri Yusuf is a board-certified internal medicine physician and physician executive based in Georgia. He has over 25 years of experience in clinical care, academic medicine, and healthcare leadership. He most recently served as Chief Physician Executive for Northeast Georgia Physicians Group and continues to focus on improving healthcare systems through leadership, engagement, and operational excellence.

Media Contact:
Dr. Bedri Yusuf
info@bedriyusuf.com
www.bedriyusuf.com

SOURCE: Dr. Bedri Yusuf