Physician Shortage

Hospitals, practices using locum tenens physicians more often

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:59:56 -0400

In what some deem a troubling sign that the primary care physician shortage is getting worse, a growing number of hospitals and practices are working through temp agencies to get their staffing needs met. As has always been the case, physicians are choosing the locum tenens option for their own reasons, including the flexibility of not having to maintain their own office, the ability to experiment with different regions and facilities, and the ability to limit how many hours they work.

However, hospitals and medical practices seem to be facing a new squeeze forcing them to change their habits. According to a survey by doctor temp-agency Staff Care, spending on temp doctors across the U.S. has more than doubled since 2001, and the number of days worked by physicians as temps has grown by 20 percent between 2006 and 2007 alone. Observers say a growing demand for primary care physicians is helping to fuel this boom.

To learn more about this trend:
- read this Chicago Tribune piece

Survey: Universal healthcare would boost MD shortage

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:59:57 -0400

When it comes to universal healthcare coverage, it would appear that a significant minority of physicians find the idea to be intolerable, according to a new survey. The survey, by physician recruiter LocumTenens.com, found that of roughly 1,400 doctors who responded, 11 percent would change occupations and 9 percent would retire if a universal health insurance scheme was put into place. Meanwhile, 63 percent said that their practice patterns wouldn't change.

Given that the federal government already projects a shortfall of 55,100 physicians by 2020, this can't be good. However, it remains to be seen whether any potential health reforms might do something to discourage doctor flight; perhaps policymakers, aware of such concerns among doctors, will come up with incentives that slow such an exodus?

To learn more about the study:
- read this Atlanta Business Chronicle piece

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States may give advanced-practice nurses wider scope

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:59:58 -0400

A wave of bills are working their way through state legislatures that would expand the scope of practice for advanced-practice nurses. In fact, at least 24 states are either considering such bills or expecting to see such measures filed this year, according to political researchers. The bills address a broad range of issues, including independent practice, doctor supervision, prescribing authority, or extended prescribing to include controlled substances. Many of these measures are opposed by the AMA and its state affiliates, who say they have safety concerns. But observers say such legislation likely will have some momentum, given the growing physician shortage and a growth in advanced degree programs for nurses.

These bills follow the establishment of a similar law in Pennsylvania, which expanded the scope of practice for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, physician assistants and dental hygienists. The new law, which was enacted in 2007, gave nurse practitioners the right to order medical equipment and refer to physical therapists and related practitioners. It also gave nurse midwives prescribing privileges that include permission to prescribe controlled substances.

To learn more about this trend:
- read this AMNews piece

Related Articles:
Trend: MO nurses create rural clinics. Report
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Congress under pressure to address MD shortage

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

With the proposed 10 percent Medicare pay cut raising the stakes, Congress is under increasing pressure to fight the ongoing doctor shortage with new legislation. The Physician Shortage Elimination Act, which originally was filed back in mid-2006, would provide millions of dollars for more scholarships for medical students, as well as expanding residency training programs. Even without the pay cut, one-third of the nation's approximately 750,000 doctors are over 55 and likely to retire within the next decade. Meanwhile, medical school enrollment isn't keeping pace with U.S. population growth, which should climb 24 percent over the next 10 years. Clearly, something has got to give here--the question is who will do the giving.

To learn more about Congress's efforts:
- read this Hartford Courant piece

Related Articles:
Senate may roll back 10 percent Medicare fee cut for MDs. Report
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Doctor shortage slows Massachusetts health reform. Report
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WA hospitals struggle with extreme ED overloads

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:59:56 -0400

While emergency departments are overloaded across the U.S., few regions are struggling quite as hard as Washington state's King County area, where overflowing facilities are closing EDs as often as six times a month, according to area officials. The problem seems to be a more-intense version of issues that are cropping up nationally, including a flood of uninsured patients, a primary-care physician shortage and an aging population, and an unusual influx of patients with winter illnesses like the flu. No one is sure why things are quite so bad now, but this is about the worst even the most experienced veterans in the region have seen, according to a report in the Seattle Times. This summer, hospitals hope to get some help in the form of a new system that routes ambulances around the county more efficiently. Also, one of the area's trauma hospitals plans to open 50 beds. However, it seems the region will remain in crisis for while unless bed supply increases further--or patient influx slows down.

To learn more about the Puget Sound area's hospital crisis:
- read this Seattle Times piece

Related Articles:
CDC report backs emergency department overcrowding charges. Report
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Overcrowding worsens at nation's EDs. Report
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