Physician Supply in the United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the argument about whether there are enough physicians in this country to meet the current rate of patients and whether there will be enough physicians in the future to meet the needs of an aging population. It discusses managed care organizations and how they contribute to a potential physician shortage, as well as other reasons that physicians are leaving, and the history of the profession. It also discusses why more young people are shying away from the medical profession and how that can be corrected so that there will be enough physicians in the future to meet the needs of an aging and growing society.

From the Paper:

"Whether it be hospital or doctor's office, the physician often spends a more time with the patient than is really budgeted, and for the patient to be told that he or she cannot have some specific medication or treatment because his or her managed care organization does not cover it is upsetting not only for the patient, but for the physician as well. Patients want to know that they are getting the best of care, and many of them assume that if they have insurance, they will get that care. This is not always the case, however, and patients who are upset about their care often take this out on the messenger, which is usually the physician. This does not promote the ideal job conditions, and this frustration and inability to help the patients because of managed care issues can lead some physicians to leave the profession and look for other occupations."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aaron, H. 2003. Should public policy seek to control the growth of health care spending? Health Affairs 22(W3): 28-36.
• Aiken, L., et al. (2002, October). Hospital Physician Staffing and Patient Mortality, Physician Burnout, and Job Dissatisfaction. JAMA. 288(16): 1987-1993.
• Aiken L., et al. (2001, May/June). Physicians' Reports on Hospital Care in Five Countries. Health Affairs. 20(3):43-53.
• Baumann, L. C., M. Chang, and R. Hoebeke. 2002. Clinical outcomes for low-income adults with hypertension and diabetes. Nursing Research 51 (3): 191-98.
• Berk, M. L., and A. Monheit. 1992. The concentration of health expenditures: An update. Health Affairs 11(4): 145-49.

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