Shortage of Doctors Could Strain Health Care System
Posted in Health Insurance
April 19th, 2010
Experts from the Association of American Medical Colleges warn that there is a current shortage of doctors that could strain the health care system. They believe that the shortage could be by as many as 150,000 doctors in the next 15 years of more doctors aren’t trained soon. The experts assert that the need for doctors will be even more pertinent now that the health reform bill has become a law.
More Insured Americans Increases Need for Doctors
The current number of U.S. doctors in the nation totals around 954,000, but the Association of American Medical Colleges says that more need to get trained and graduated fast due to the increasing number of patients with health insurance.
The greatest demand for doctors seems to be in the area of primary-care physicians, including general practitioners, internists, family physicians and pediatricians. They will have the largest role under the new health care reform law because they will be responsible for coordinating care for every newly-insured patient. The association estimates 45,000 more will be need by 2020.
If they’re not added, the result could be longer waits for patients who are in dire need of care.
Medical Schools Opening, but How Will Students Afford Tuition?
As of last October, four new medical schools enrolled new students and 12 current medical schools raised enrollment of first-year students to increase the number of students in training. But with all tuition increasing year over year, how will students afford medical school, which has a reputation for leaving students in debt for many years?
Proponents of the health reform bill turned law say that there are some perks available to encourage people to enter the medical profession. But mostly they’re associated with funding residencies.
The good news, however, is that student loan reform is expected to offer more grant and loan money to students by the summer of 2010, offering better funding opportunities to those who want to get into the medical profession.
[...] the need for an agent may diminish some.Physicians: There have already been reports that a severe shortage of physicians is expected over the next 10 years, which means those currently working will be overworked if more [...]