This article from CNN reports on a recent survey revealing that half of all primary care physicians surveyed would leave their profession if they had an alternative. While this statistic may be shocking to those outside of the medical community it probably comes as much less a surprise to those within the community. As we continue to witness the death spiral of declining third party reimbursement from insurers while all costs of practice are rising it has become increasingly difficult for medical providers to maintain a sustainable practice.
At what degree of Crisis will we recognize that the current model of third party payment is failing and that it has to be corrected soon or we will once again reap the punishment of failing to recognize impending failure of a national system?
2 comments:
If someone (me) is interested in getting into the medical field (physical therapy), what are your thoughts to them after they (me) read this article?
Eric,
There are considerable financial pressures on the medical industry and it does create an uncertain future. At this time while there is a lot of opportunity for Physical Therapists there no guarantees that those opportunities will remain or even improve unless there is considerable reform of the third party payment system. There are some parts of the the US where it is better than others.
I think in the end it really depends on one's motivation for entering the field. If it is something you enjoy doing as I do, some of the difficulties are easier to handle.
With the new administration preparing to enter the White House and with the broad support for healthcare reform I am hopeful that we will see an improvement. But in order for the reform to be successful it has to be very circumspect and our particular community of Physical Therapists are going to have to be very vocal as the debate and discussions ensue.
I remain hopeful for the future, but it is guarded hope.
Thanks for dropping by the blog.
Mark
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