purpose: convince prospective doctors they should work in a rural setting
This important because there is a lack of physicians in these areas.
I am intrigued becasue I want to work in one of these communities.
Question:
Why is there a problem? How does it affect the community in terms of health as well as other aspects? What would improved care bring to the professionals and community?
Improving the United States Health Care One Rural Physician at a Time
The developed world, a place where when one ponders health care quality, they think only of the best; they believe the countries have the most effective treatments and the best doctors. This optimistic perspective severely contrasts what one may think of the developing world’s health care systems. A person may picture run down clinics, with terrible doctors and lack of treatments. In truth, both of these examples are present in every country. When looking at developed countries people turn a blind eye to the possibility of poor medical; they cannot fathom the fact that even with the most advanced medical capabilities a country could have, some people an receiving inadequate care. This exact scenario occurs every day in the United States of America. The country historically has shad a lack of doctors supplying nonmetropolitan areas; a trend that has risen over the recent years. With a growing disinterest in becoming a rural general practitioner and an increase in medical specialization fixing this problem has become more difficult, thus impacting the quality of care the rural population recieves. However, the problem must be solved as the long term benefits for both people in the medical field and those in the community affected by a lack of medical care outweigh the short term affects that may prevent people from accepting a job in a rural environment.
Because of the shortage of health care in the rural communities, the quality of life for the residents has suffered. As mentioned before, one can attribute this to the lack of specialists in the area and generalists. While some may think a way to fix the problem is to have the generalists and specialists see each other’s patients helping to alive the need for more doctors in these areas. Because this idea lacks potential as these types of doctors cannot do each others jobs, the need for both of these grows as the community needs more generalists and specialists to meet the demand. Another way people may think that the issue can be solved is through transportation. One may question, why these people do not travel to other areas to receive medical care? Well these people, who are often members of a low socioeconomic class, cannot afford to travel long distance to meet a doctor that specializes in a field not practiced in their town. These poor towns can be associated with higher rates of chronic disease, motor and gun related incidents, as well as job associated injuries. In a town where medical capacities are low and need is high, one can see the issue. As the gap widens the mortality rate will increase, making this issue even more pressing.
The impacts of poor health impact the community in other ways than just preventing the people from living their best lives. There has been a proven connection between the health of individuals and the economic status of the community. Having health problems in the past has shown to negatively affect the potential earnings of an individual. This scenario holds true for those that have been recovering from health issues in the past. It has been shown that the health of men impacts the economy more than the health of women. Finally, it studies show that health impacts African American communities more than it impact white communities. When looking at this data, one should consider who is affecting the economy. In these poorer communities the health of the males impacts the community more because more men are working than women. Black communities are already seen to have lower wealth than white communities, so their economy is already deeply suffering. Thus the effects of health deeply exacerbate these facts. However, increasing health care professionals in these areas can help these economic troubles as well as the health of the community.
When health care is accessible to all the longevity of the community increases. With increased medical care to all the life expectancy has increased, the social environment and the communities lifestyle as a whole(Weeks and Wallace 2008). Health and life expectancy improve from these treatments because these people are now provided with symptom relief. Mental and physical pain are also relieved and treatments are shortened as they are made more efficient. It is important to note that with increased medical care in these communities there will be more surgeries, so the life expectancy will increase for the average healthy individual that it will on paper, because more people will be dying from risky surgeries. However, this is a positive, not people dying, but having more surgeries means people are getting medical care and not left to die. It was noted earlier that poor health provides people with les earning potential in society. Increased health means people will be contributing more money to society, helping to improve the economy, something these communities all need.
The last paragraph will address sustainability and recruiting generalists….how this will add specialist…how the creation of this will provide more jobs to the rest of the community
Conclusion-I will be addressing how this is the way to move forward to improve health care for these communities, improve the professional lives of doctors, help the economy of these people in the communities
Put in a place for where w ego-make sure it is evident that this needs to be done for all communities
conclusion ex: The country historically has shad a lack of doctors supplying non metropolitan areas; a trend that has risen over the recent years. With a growing disinterest in becoming a rural general practitioner and an increase in medical specialization fixing this problem has become more difficult, thus impacting the quality of care the rural population receives. However, the problem must be solved as the long term benefits for both people in the medical field and those in the community affected by a lack of medical care outweigh the short term affects that may prevent people from accepting a job in a rural environment. If more doctors work in rural areas, more people can live fulfilling lives contributing to society making the world a better place.
Sources to be added
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Chirikos, Thomas N., and Gilbert Nestel. 1985. “Further Evidence on the Economic Effects of Poor Health.” The Review of Economics and Statistics 67 (1). The MIT Press:61. https://doi.org/10.2307/1928435.
“Study Examines Why Primary Care Physicians Leave Rural Areas.” n.d. Accessed March 24, 2018. https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20170712ruralturnover.html.
Weeks, William B., and Amy E. Wallace. 2008. “Rural–Urban Differences in Primary Care Physicians’ Practice Patterns, Characteristics, and Incomes.” The Journal of Rural Health 24 (2):161–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-0361.2008.00153.x.
audience: perspective medical sources considering career choices
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