Contemporary isues that affect the healthcare

The health care system in America today faces a number of contemporary issues that not only affect the current complexity of health care systems, but also the future of healthcare. These issues have a bearing on the future of healthcare in that if no measures are taken to avert the problems associated with them, then we should prepare for the worst. These issues include:Shortage of medical practitionersThe Affordable Care ActAvoidable Harm to patients

The Shortage of Health care Providers

Having a well trained mix and number of health professionals in any country is vital to making sure that the nation’s goals of affordable and quality health care services is achieved. It is important have a healthy labor fore, which ultimately translates to a booming economy, over and above being a basic right to every citizen. This is one of the factors that affect the health care system in America, and it has to be addressed since it affects the future of healthcare system as a whole. The shortage of health practitioners is a reality in the U.S.A, with future projections being even worse. Doctor shortage is so because of the rising population in the country, and not just an absolute shortage. The doctor supply is less that the health care demand, because of new-age diseases, which are so much, compared to earlier years.

Active doctor figures (2007-2012)

Reasons for doctor shortage

One in five doctors are reported to be deserting high risk medical practices (including baby deliveries), to venture into other practices According to a survey by IHS Inc, the largest number of current healthcare providers include the elderly, who are retiring in large numbers.the Affordable Care has and will lead to the shortage of primary-care physicians (at least by 2016), due to the influx of almost 32 million Americans who are newly insured, which as well combines with a doctor population that is aging. In a nut shell, more people with health insurance translates to more patients.

The government should try to make the medical profession more lucrative. The medical professionals’ exit from the field is alarming and could impact the health care in a negative way in the near future. One of the main reasons why there is massive exit by physicians could be in search of greener pastures in other professions or businesses. According to McIntyre (2009), the state can make a deliberate effort to help retain doctors in the profession. He suggests a plan similar to the G I bill, which could be better named as “the health practitioners bill”. This would be designed as an incentive for the health practitioners, do that they are retained in the field. Another way could be by increasing the medical practitioners’ remuneration. All these are an effort to make sure that the doctors are retained and do not exit the field

Apart from that, the state can make nationwide legislation, as in several states already, that seeks to extend the physician assistants and nurse-practitioners professionals autonomy by giving them the freedom practice independently of the physicians, but with certain regulations. The legislation might spur controversy, but it is one of the few options we’ve been left with in order to fill the gap being left by the physicians who are leaving the practice everyday. Also, to increase the primary-care physicians’ productivity, it is suggested that physician assistants and nurse-practitioners be ultimately handed more responsibility, like of the physicians.

This is a piece of legislation that that is somehow complex, and it attempts to reform the healthcare system by providing more citizens with Affordable Quality Health Insurance and by curbing the growth in healthcare spending in the U.S. Insurance without the access to primary health care is a real problem, since there are 25 million uninsured gain coverage (Fauget). The legislation put in place a comprehensive insurance (health) reforms that put citizens back in charge of their own health care. One thing that is clear is that The Affordable Care Act is continually working to make health care more accessible, affordable and of a of a higher quality for everyone.

The Affordable Care Act

the act has got a myriad of opportunities, ranging from the reforms in benefits, rights and protections of the health care consumers, new job creation and much more for Insurance Companies, insurance middlemen, private practitioners, funding, education an the creation of committees. the act has also given the citizens a way and a mechanism where they can quickly appeal any health insurance company decision, that might not be favorable. ObamaCare has also an opportunity for the employees of large employers, where by 2015/2016, they ought to have been insured completely by their employers.

the Affordable Care has and will lead to the shortage of primary-care physicians (at least by 2016), due to the influx of almost 32 million Americans who are newly insured, which as well combines with a doctor population that is aging. In a nut shell, more people with health insurance translates to more patients.This is a problem of too much demand of the health care system, considering the reduced doctor-patient ratio. The government is not balancing the whole demand-supply aspect of the health care system. The Affordable care act is increasing the demand of healthcare, without necessarily addressing the supply of the same.

The reduction of the demand for doctor’s attention will be enhanced by living healthier lifestyles, such as creating stronger relationships and family ties, group activities in nature, healthy eating, having enough sleep, meditation, etc. The government should encourage this, so that ultimately the demand is reduced. The state should also fund the health centers available so as to increase their capacity to handle more patients, especially in low-income areas. Also, funding and training of new health care professionals and physicians as well as providing incentives for doctors to practice underserved communities will be a very big step in making sure that the problem of doctor shortage is solved, both current and future problems.

Harm to Patients

This is one of the health care system’s most common contemporary issue that currently faces us. Statistics such as thes are alarming: One in four beneficiaries of Medicare who are admitted to hospitals suffer some kind of harm during their stay in the hospitals. Would you step in your car if you a thought came to you that you had a one in four chances of harm during your drive?Early elective deliveries harm women and newborns. Babies born at 37-39 completed weeks gestation are at much higher risk of death. They are also at a far higher risk for harms like respiratory problems and admission to the

This is a real problem, that has opportunities in terms of job creation for competent employees. it affects the future of the healthcare in the country because in future, the trends therein indicate that the citizens will lose faith and trust in America’s healthcare provision. This is a potential source of friction between the government and the state.Also, the fact that there are medical practitioners that aren’t so professional after all affects the whole medical profession. This will discourage the people who potentially might like to join the profession, therefore making the field even more understaffed.

The government can help in this, by making sure that legislation is put in place to deal with unscrupulous practitioners. This legislation can be in form of harsh penalties for the physicians or other practitioners who manhandle their patients. This is meant to instill fear in them so that they are aware of what awaits them when they harm their patients, since this is avoidable.The other way is for the government to empower the people. By this, they can educate the citizens on what their rights are, within the confines of the health facilities. Then, structures can be put in place to help the patients report any case of negligence with ease.

The doctors are one of the most important group of people in the society, and their role is so much important and valuable. and there simply won’t be enough of them to go around. The looming shortage will almost inevitably challenge the already-taxed systems of health care and change the way patients and physicians interact because the doctor-patient ratio will rise and there would be straining patient outcomes. The affordable care act also is an excellent Idea, but should be fine-tuned to encompass the future needs of the health care system.Physicians should be careful when handling patients, because 80% of the harm inflicted to patients according to statistics can be avoided

Conclusion

References

McIntyre, C. (2009). People and health care USA. Bloomington, Ind.: Authorhouse.IHS Inc, (2015) “The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections from 2013 to 2025” Faguet, G. (n.d.). The Affordable Care Act: A missed opportunity, a better way forward.