Quote:
Originally Posted by leadsled
Hence, other professions will emerge and fill the gap, ie: DO, NP, PA. ND. Americans have grown impatient waiting to see primary care providers and capitalism has created an opportunity for these other professions to flourish.
Solution: The AMA, ACGME, AAMC and "powers that be" have to get off their butts and solve the problem by opening more residencies to allopathic physicians... plain and simple!!! If not, I promise you the void will be filled whether you like it or not.
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Very well said. What exactly can students and physicians do about this?... ideas?
You also must realize that patients are going to other providers either because of the physician shortage, or because they feel like these other providers have something to offer them that modern-day physicians don't. One of the main issues is lack of time with each patient. People often prefer sitting down to talk about their health issues with a nurse or naturopath who can spend time talking with them, than the typical physician who is out the door in 5 minutes. Another issue that appears to be lacking in many physicians I've encountered is lack of knowledge about lifestyle issues, nutrition, and even supplements. I know many med students would cringe at reading this, but the reality is that people are experimenting with supplements and herbs, and unfortunately clinicians aren't adequately trained in the topic. I have considered the idea of going to naturopathic school someday myself in the future (long after I complete med school and residency)... it's like a 2 year program for those with previous medical degrees, and I've even heard of a school who will be having night classes. Obviously at this stage, I can't even consider further education as I have so many years ahead... but maybe in 10-15 years I will be craving further studies. I know there are physicians with MD,ND degrees, and I think it's great that they have the foundation in clinical science, with additional training on herbs and supplements added in... I'd hope they'd be best able to evaluate the junk from the good stuff.
Here's what I think needs to happen (these are just my thoughts):
1. Open up more residencies for physicians and increase medical student enrollment
2. Increase incentives (higher pay, loan deferments) and reduce workload of those going into primary care
3. Change insurance reimbursement policy to allow physicians to spend more time with each patient
4. Encourage more government funding of complementary/alternative medicine and preventive medicine research and clinical trials so that physicians know about which treatments work (and can be incorporated into practice) and which are just bunk
5. Increase further educational opportunities/training/CME for physicians on topics related to lifestyle and preventive medicine, public health issues, evidence-based natural/holistic medicine
Obviously these things require to varying degrees a major change in the system... so no small deal here. But it's critical that something is done about it, as the problems will only escalate otherwise. Any ideas? Solutions?
Disclaimer: I'm not a current medical student yet, as I plan to start in '09. However, I am somewhat versed in the topic as I come from a family of physicians (and thus have spent my life hearing of their frustrations with medicine) and also I've done some study of health care issues during my MPH coursework. I'm also someone who has gone to non-MD and alternative providers to see what they had to offer.