General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCalifornia lacks doctors to meet demand of national healthcare law
SACRAMENTO As the state moves to expand healthcare coverage to millions of Californians under President Obama's healthcare law, it faces a major obstacle: There aren't enough doctors to treat a crush of newly insured patients.
Some lawmakers want to fill the gap by redefining who can provide healthcare.
They are working on proposals that would allow physician assistants to treat more patients and nurse practitioners to set up independent practices. Pharmacists and optometrists could act as primary care providers, diagnosing and managing some chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and high-blood pressure.
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-me-doctors-20130210,0,1509396.story
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)known as Obamacare.
Keep in mind that the AMA made a calculated decision back (I think) in the 1970's to limit medical school students. Yeah. National health care or no national health care, we don't need no stinkin' doctors.
The first thing that ought to be taking place is a calculated effort to increase medical school enrollments. Maybe nursing school enrollments, because I am aware that in some parts of the country it's really hard to get into nursing school, not just because of basic requirements, but because of limited space. Gosh, there's something familiar about that.
Oh. And if I were dictator of North America, I'd either have the federal government pay for all medical school, or make the amount of tuition the student must pay something reasonable, but no more than $10,000/year. Your definition of reasonable may vary.
bossy22
(3,547 posts)where there is extreme oversaturation. The difference is that unlike a law degree which is still good even if you don't get a "law job" right out of school, if you don't get a residency, your medical degree is pretty much worthless. You can't practice, you can't work at a hospital. You might be able to do research but chances are you won't be paid much more than any other research assistant since medical school training is clinically oriented, not research oriented
Also, medical school tuition isn't the only thing- its the training itself. If you subsidized my schooling it would be a huge boost, but it still doesn't alleviate the stress of 8-10 years of post-college training- and I mean rigorous post college training. The fact is, Medical School isn't fun, it isn't like college. It's like working 100 hours a week with no vacations- the only thing is there is no garuntee of a paycheck at the end.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)and I'm 64 years old, there has been a demand for physicians that has been greater than the number of physicians out there.
While the training to be a doctor isn't fun, I know, at least if it's paid for a huge part of the stress might well be alleviated. And it's not as if doctors have trouble finding employment at the end of their training. Really.
For what it's worth, I have known any number of doctors in my adult life. None of them seemed to have trouble finding employment, and they all lived in very nice parts of town, to put it mildly.
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)" Pharmacists and optometrists could act as primary care providers, diagnosing and managing some chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and high-blood pressure. " and I say this as a retired nurse.
newfie11
(8,159 posts)In SD, MT, WY I am aware of small towns that would have no health care if not for these professionals manning those clinics. Granted they do have an MD that is over them but that MD was not in those towns.
Broadus MT, Wall SD, Faith SD, Coldstrip MT, Sundance WY, are just a few I am familiar with.