Clinics, Nurses And Physician Assistants May Help Fill Care Gap From Impending Doctor Shortage
The Chicago Tribune examines the options consumers might use in the future to address physician shortages and rein in costs. In related news, media outlets report on how efforts to cut costs could lead to more malpractice suits. And The Associated Press looks at the rise in virtual doctor visits.
The Chicago Tribune:
How Health Care Will Look With A Physician Shortage
The Association of American Medical Colleges projects that the nation will face a shortage of 12,000 to 31,000 primary-care physicians by 2025. So it's no wonder you may be finding it harder to find a doctor or to schedule an appointment with the one you have. What's fueling this problem? The baby boom generation pouring into older age, an aging physician workforce preparing to retire and an estimated 30 million Americans joining the ranks of the insured since enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. (Kraft, 11/4)
The Washington Post's Wonkblog:
Why Health Reform Might Increase Malpractice Lawsuits
A possible unintended consequence of one of health reform's biggest goals -- curbing excess health care spending -- could be a surge in malpractice lawsuits, a provocative study published in the British Medical Journal Wednesday suggests. Researchers tracked more than 24,000 Florida physicians over a nine-year period and found that in six specialties, doctors who spent the most health care resources on hospitalized patients had the lowest likelihood of being sued. (Johnson, 11/4)
STAT:
Doctors Who Order More Tests May Face Fewer Lawsuits
When an obstetrician makes a substantial mistake, Jack Olender goes after millions. The Washington, D.C., lawyer has, by his own account, brought hundreds of doctors to court — and there are enough malpractice attorneys out there to make this kind of case a multibillion dollar industry. (Boodman, 11/4)
The Associated Press:
Virtual Doctor Visits Offer Convenience, Lower Costs
When you're coming down with a cold, there are a few items you typically reach for to start feeling better: cough drops, herbal tea, maybe an over-the-counter medication. For most of us, though, a smartphone wouldn't top that list. But that may change as health care companies increasingly steer customers toward streaming video apps that connect patients with doctors online. (Perrone, 11/4)
