Huntsville area residents are spending more time in the emergency room – because the rapid growth in Madison County means many can’t get to see a primary care doctor quick enough.

The reason for that – not enough doctors in the area to keep up with the growth.

The physician shortage is making it difficult for some to find not just primary care providers but also pediatricians or other specialists.

“It varies based on specialty,” said Josh Hewiett, Huntsville Hospital senior vice president of physician services. “There’s definitely a growing demand for care, especially primary care.”

Huntsville resident Tara Barnes is among those who recently have been forced to search for a new doctor.

“I received a letter from my doctor that the nurse practitioner was leaving, which is usually who I saw and preferred to see,” she said. “He could not handle the load with her leaving, and said that I needed to find a new doctor. I was mortified because there is such a shortage here. … To see a specialist here is almost out of the question.”