Report: Maine will see shortage of health workers

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ A state report says Maine is likely to suffer a shortage of health care professionals in the coming decades unless more students enroll in Maine medical schools and the industry recruits more workers from out of state.

The state Department of Labor‘s Center for Workforce Research and Information report says the shortage will be especially severe in dentistry and psychology. The department issued the report this week.

The report states that two-third of practitioners in dentistry and psychology are more than 50 years old. It also says nearly half of the state’s pharmacists, nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses are more than 50.

The department says hospital and medical clinics will likely face difficulties filling staff because of the shortage.