There is little evidence the problem will cease, especially in rural areas. Stefan Gildemeister, assistant director of the health economics bureau at the Minnesota Department of Health, said present calculations for the state are the same.
"A recent study we did, which looked at surveys in greater Minnesota, showed the vacancy rate for psychiatrists was higher than for any other specialty," he said. Breckenridge faces its own significant ratio. A maximum of 136 psychiatric patients walk through the doors of the Hope Unit at St. Francis Healthcare Campus per week, but there is only one psychiatrist to help them.
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During Torson's four day work week, she assists up to 26 patients per day. Two nurses assist her with paperwork and phone calls, and patients can wait up to six weeks for an appointment. Part of that time is set aside for the patient to collect their intake history, so they are prepared to give Torson record of past medical treatment.
"We spend quite a bit of time responding to refill requests from existing patients and filling reports for agencies, such as group homes or foster homes," she said.
During the school year, between five and 10 patients wait on a list for her services. As psychiatry is one of the lower paying jobs in the field, Torson said "the patient population doesn't appeal to many med students."
Torson is also responsible for monthly meetings with case consultants, local school counselors and county staff each month. If she is sick, all of her appointments are rescheduled.
"For minor mental illnesses, many times a patient can go through a family doctor, but with complicated cases, you need someone at the psychiatrist level," said Ann Trebesch, director of the Hope Unit and Torson's supervisor.
Out of all the psychiatric fields, those who treat children and adolescents make up the greatest shortage. Recent data indicates there are 6.1 child psychiatrists in the state per 100,000 children. Nationally, there are 8 per 100,000.
Part of the absence might be explained by the two additional years of fellowship work required for child psychiatry. A typical psychiatrist must have eight years of medical school and residency work.
"When you are working with children, there may be many family problems as well, and that can be difficult," Torson said. "It is helpful to have a good family therapist and a child psychologist when you are working with children."
Torson said one way legislators can aid the shortage issue on a whole is by offering loan repayment for under served areas in the state.
"That would be an incentive for people to enter psychiatry, and it would also be helpful to clear up some misconceptions, both in medical school and the general population," she said.
After a recent meeting with school counselors and the social service department, Trebesch said they came to an agreement.
"There's just way more need than any of us can handle," she said.
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