BEHIND THE WAITING ROOM DOORS
A Three Part Series on Navigating Healthcare Challenges
SERIES INTRODUCTION:
As we approach the fall and winter months—typically the busiest times for hospitals and doctors—it's timely to discuss the current strains on our healthcare system. Understanding these challenges is crucial so that we may adjust our expectations accordingly as we prioritize our healthcare needs. The following statement by Jesse Ehrenfeld, President of the AMA is alarming:
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the country will face an estimated shortage of 37,800 to 124,000 physicians by 2034. The projected shortage of primary care physicians ranges from 17,800 to 48,000, and that of specialists ranges from 21,000 to 77,100.
“The physician shortage that we have long feared—and warned was on the horizon—is already here. It's an urgent crisis hitting every corner of this country—urban and rural—with the most direct impact hitting families with high needs and limited means.”
Jesse Ehrenfeld, President of the AMA
Most of us will face long waits to see doctors, with average delays reaching up to four months for a new appointment, depending on the specialty. Similarly, waits in Emergency Rooms can extend for hours in the lobby waiting to be seen as bed availability is problematic. There is a clog in our system, which is impacting our emergency rooms.
These issues are not quickly fixable, so it's important for us to comprehend the underlying causes in order to navigate the system better.
This isn't often a matter of poor customer service or leadership; it's about systemic challenges that aren't discussed publicly. I think it is very important to have this discussion, and so we will. In this series, we'll explore these issues transparently, focusing on understanding and managing our immediate healthcare reality rather than solving the systemic problems that will take years to fix.
This month, we will tackle the following topics:
👩⚕️ Scheduling and attending MD appointments
🚑 Navigating Emergency Room visits
📢 Understanding and advocating for your healthcare needs
#HealthcareSystem #PatientCare #DoctorShortage #EmergencyCare #HealthcareAdvocacy