PROFESSIONStudy confirms shortage of critical care doctorsThe country will need as many as 4,300 intensivists by 2020, a government report says. It predicts a 1,500-doctor shortfall.By Myrle Croasdale, amednews staff. June 19, 2006. Although demand for intensivists has increased after studies showed that care from the specialists can improve patient outcomes and shorten hospital stays, not enough young physicians are willing to take on the long, demanding hours of a critical care doctor, says pulmonologist Michael Alberts, MD, president of the American College of Chest Physicians. A recent Health Resources and Services Administration report done in collaboration with the ACCP backs that up. It estimates that by 2020, the nation will need at least 2,600 critical care physicians, or as many as 4,300. The current supply of 1,900 intensivists is expected to grow to 2,800 by 2020, which would appear to more than meet the minimum. But this lower estimate is based on a practice pattern that is quickly being eclipsed, according to HRSA. Currently, one-third of patients in intensive care are treated by a critical care physician. But hospitals are pushing for a more optimal level of care, where two-thirds of intensive care patients are treated by an intensivist. To achieve this level of care, 4,300 intensivists would be needed by 2020, which, the study projects, would mean a shortfall of 1,500 physicians. The HRSA report cited lifestyle and reimbursement as the biggest barriers to boosting medical residents' interest in the subspecialty. "We ought to adequately compensate those who are at the front line with critically ill patients," Dr. Alberts said. "The current debt load of medical students means they need a payback quicker." [...]Full text of American Medical News content is available to AMA members and paid subscribers.
Copyright 2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
|
The doctors are in the house
The AMA's House of Delegates is holding its Interim Meeting Nov. 7-10 in Houston, addressing issues such as health system reform and physician payment. Meeting coverage - Slideshow Feature articlesHealth reform review The Massachusetts experience Litigation stress Being sued is personal as well as professional Comprehensive coverage
Most-viewed
Nov. 9 issueHouse option for public plan wouldn't limit physician pay to Medicare rates New database for out-of-network pay set to replace disputed Ingenix system Columns and series
From the vault: 5 years agoGenetic testing issues land in primary care practices Nov. 8, 2004 
|
SHARE
