Page 8 - Boca ViewPointe - December '24

Page 8, Viewpointe December 2024

What’s On Let’s Look At

Your Lips? The Forthcoming Shortage Of Doctors

By Harold Katz, R.Ph.
By Judith Levy
There will be a shortage
I have a theory. I think of doctors in this country
some people are born by the year 2030. The actual
with a “Yes” on their lips estimated deficit in this
and others with a “No.” position is 30,000. That is a
In short order everyone is lot of vacancies. Let’s look
clear on who they are. If at the problem from the other
you want something done side of the doctor’s desk.
you make it a point to ask This is a survey published by
a yes person, the one who CHG Healthcare, a national
will go out of their way to help you, will not find reasons recruiting company:
or excuses why this couldn’t possibly happen, the one Why are doctors leaving medicine:
who will without any fuss or muss acquiesce to even a 1. Burnout and stress.. 40%
bit of an unexpected or slightly unreasonable request. 2. Unhappy with administrations response to the
No use to ask a no person. They will without skipping pandemic. 35% Who will fill the void of doctors in 2030? Internet
a beat fluff you off because you called too early, too late, 3. Unhappy with the way medicine is changing. 25% doctor appointments will be more common. Nurse
they have a previous appointment, would love to help This is probably news to most of us patients. We are so practitioners will have greater acceptance. Physician
but they’re sorry, they really can’t and on and on they go involved with our own problems that we don’t consider our assistants will be more valuable. The corner pharmacy
almost trying to elicit a thank you for their refusal. And doctors’ concerns. The survey noted that many physicians may become the source for simple health problems, as
tell the truth, you even know before you ask them what see their kids grow up without their presence. They do not it was decades ago. None of these can replace the well-
the result from this no person will be, still you foolishly have a decent family life. To quote one physician responder: trained internist or generalist with their depth of on-hand
think this time might be different, it won’t. Even if they “I am no longer willing to work 100 hours a week with no experience.
agree, the last minute they will bow out with a mouthful life outside the practice.” The establishment of MDVIP and Concierge practices
of I’m sure you can understand why I can’t do this, much One additional concern is that although they enjoy give doctors a life outside of the office, but it does not
as I would have wanted to. Of course, you knew they practicing medicine, the paperwork involving Medicare and please all physicians; and many tolerate and accept the
wouldn’t want to in the first place. insurance companies can be overwhelming. The same study long hours of practice.
Then there’s the one who asks the hostess, “Can I showed that for every eight hours of patient contact five hours Finally, we do not see the long list of pre-med students
help you?” and the hostess says “No, no.” Of course, are spent on submitting forms and correspondence. Often it anticipating a career in medicine. For many it is not as
if she or he wanted to help they would just get up and is necessary to hire additional help to remain up to date with attractive a future as it was a decade ago, and the costs
pick up a plate or whatever and not ask the beleaguered required submissions to Medicare and insurance firms. of medical education have skyrocketed.
hostess any questions, but they assuage their conscience We have all seen (and many complained) that “My doctor So, for all of the above reasons, the shortage of
by asking and offering, knowing they will get a refusal looks at his laptop and not at me”. We can better understand physicians looms as a great concern for our future health
and they can then just sit still and not help at all. The why he does so. needs. Perhaps it is time for Congress to research this
same goes for asking, “What can I bring?” The hostess Once again, referring to the study, of the 500 doctors situation, and with their power, fix it.
will probably say, “Nothing, just come.” Now, they have interviewed:
asked the rhetorical question and feel quite comfortable 1. 8% retired Harold Katz R.Ph., Edgewater Estates. 
coming empty handed. The person who was taught 2. 3% chose other jobs during the pandemic.
never to come empty handed, will not ask, or even if the 3. 3% left medicine to work in non-clinical careers.
hostess demurs, will find something to bring that will be
graciously accepted and appreciated.
So, who are you? The one with no on their lips or the
Wishing You The Best
one with a yes. Granted the yes person might occasionally
be taken advantage of, still, in the long run, life is sweeter Wishing You The Best
and kinder if you are a yes person, someone who faces
the world with a congenial, affable, I’d be most pleased
to help you, smile.
For Peace, Good Health,
Judith Levy is the New York Times best-selling author For Peace, Good Health,
of GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS, which has sold
over four million copies and been translated into five
And Happiness
languages and the mega best-seller GRANDFATHER
REMEMBERS, published by HarperCollins.  And Happiness

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