physician shortage article

[flip26]

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Two flavors of shortage mentioned: projected shortage of IM docs in next 15 years nationally, and the current trend of docs dropping out of Medicare creating a very real "shortage" of physicians for patients:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/business/retirementspecial/02health.html?em

 

[flip26]

The shortage of IM docs won't last long. With more seats for medical students now, there are more applicants that will fill the IM residency slots.....if the IM slots are not already filled to 100% compacity.

There will remain a shortage of family care docs.

Not exactly.

The increase in US MD and DO grads in coming years will only push out the FMGs who have been filling the residency slots mostly in primary care.

Without a commensurate increase in residency slots, there will be doctor shortages.

 

[not so calm now]

Many physicians feel medicare reimbursements are too low to even cover overhead. For example, I know a particular service that is charged about $87/hour for private insurance. This particular service is reimbursed for $22/hour by medicare. It's very hard to stay in business like that, but at the same time, not taking patients because of their particular insurance doesn't feel like the "spirit" of a career I'd like to go into.

 

[Bacchus]

Many physicians feel medicare reimbursements are too low to even cover overhead. For example, I know a particular service that is charged about $87/hour for private insurance. This particular service is reimbursed for $22/hour by medicare. It's very hard to stay in business like that, but at the same time, not taking patients because of their particular insurance doesn't feel like the "spirit" of a career I'd like to go into.

Money talks.

 

[BlueElmo]

Maybe now adcoms will accept more applicants, hopefully.

 

[RowaH]

Supply and demand. If more physicians come in, lower salaries.

 

[Dissected]

Supply and demand. If more physicians come in, lower salaries.

lower salaries = less bright, motivated people going into medicine...

kinda scary 🙁

 

[riceman04]

lower salaries = less bright, motivated people going into medicine...

kinda scary 🙁

I think that might be a bit myopic of a stance to take. There are many people who do not get accepted to med school every year who would make great physicians. Measuring motivation by outcomes of admissions cycles is kind of remiss.

 

[Dissected]

I think that might be a bit myopic of a stance to take. There are many people who do not get accepted to med school every year who would make great physicians. Measuring motivation by outcomes of admissions cycles is kind of remiss.

That is true, I thought about that. But a downward trend in quality applicants over a number of years (not just a few) would make a difference.

 

[deleted212936]

Did anyone here write in their PS that they would NOT accept Medicare once they become doctors?

 

[riceman04]

That is true, I thought about that. But a downward trend in quality applicants over a number of years (not just a few) would make a difference.

true

 

[riceman04]

Did anyone here write in their PS that they would NOT accept Medicare once they become doctors?

:troll:

 

[deleted212936]

:troll:

 

[Dissected]

Did anyone here write in their PS that they would NOT accept Medicare once they become doctors?

hahaha! did you? If so you've got some serious cahones

 

[NonTradMed]

The more I learn about how the medical industry works, the more I feel most people do not understand how the system works. Many take it for granted that we have excellent care in this country yet don't see the high cost associated with it. They want low cost, high quailty care. I don't think it's feasible to provide that for everyone for everything. Even if we fix the physician shortage, the high cost of doing business means people will still have to pay a set amount to see a doctor.

 

[87138]

The more I learn about how the medical industry works, the more I feel most people do not understand how the system works. Many take it for granted that we have excellent care in this country yet don't see the high cost associated with it. They want low cost, high quailty care. I don't think it's feasible to provide that for everyone for everything. Even if we fix the physician shortage, the high cost of doing business means people will still have to pay a set amount to see a doctor.

We live in a society/generation where we coddle the weak and reinforce the dogma that EVERYONE is above average, and that NO ONE is not extra-super-special.

In that same vein, sure, there are people who will agree that healthcare is a valuable service and is something that is worth spending money on. Until they get hit by a bus. Then the rules don't apply to them, because after all, can't we just make this one exception? Pretty please?

 

[deleted212936]

Did anyone here write in their PS that they would NOT accept Medicare once they become doctors?

hahaha! did you? If so you've got some serious cahones

Oops! Did I get you started? Good.
But anyway, thank you! You got my point!
🙂