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The Current State Of Primary Care In America

  • By Locums, Inc
  • •
  • 06 Feb, 2019
To keep up with rising demand, 47% of primary care facilities hire locum tenens physicians on a weekly basis. In order to meet the growing demands of the aged baby boomer generation, a primary care physician doesn’t work alone. In fact, they work with a small army of other healthcare professionals to ensure their patients… The post The Current State Of Primary Care In America appeared first on Locums, Inc..
To keep up with rising demand, 47% of primary care facilities hire locum tenens physicians on a weekly basis.
In order to meet the growing demands of the aged baby boomer generation, a primary care physician doesn’t work alone.
In fact, they work with a small army of other healthcare professionals to ensure their patients receive the care they need. Which is a good thing. Because studies have shown that in that in areas where there is more primary care, treatment outcomes are better and have lower costs.
Not only are outcomes better, but people are less likely to be hospitalized, and death rates from cancer, heart disease and stroke are lower. This is just one of the reasons primary care facilities are so important, and why ensuring they are staffed with competent staff is vital.

The Primary Care Shortage And Its Effects

According to an article in Forbes, if “we don’t have enough primary care physicians in this country, we are going to need to rely on more NPs and PAs to meet our primary care needs.” 
The article focuses, not just on the shortage of primary care physicians, but on unnecessary medical care (telling someone they need an MRI for dehydration headache) and the need for more trained NPs (nurse practitioners) and PAs (physician assistants).
The conclusion of the Forbes article was focused around; education (after all, would you want to pay for an MRI if it was completely unnecessary) and increasing the number of primary care physicians as well as potentially widening the role and responsibilities of NPs and PAs.
However, whether or not these suggestions will be implemented remains to be seen, as the country’s new administration is still working on a national healthcare plan.

How The Shortage Is Being Managed

How the shortage is being managed varies from state to state. With one exception. Over 47% of primary care facilities are hiring locum tenens staff to handle staff shortages, sick leave and staff on vacation.
Being able to hire locum tenens staff who will work a few days, a week or even a few months has enabled primary care facilities to continue to provide this vitally necessary service to their community.
It has also enabled them to hire staff for busy periods without having to try find (and afford) another full-time staff member they may not need. Or, to sustain an influx of patients while they look for a permanent staff member.

Locum Tenens: Are They The Best Long-Term Solution?

While locum tenens physicians, NPS and PAs are useful, and worthwhile, they cannot solve the shortage of primary care staff indefinitely.
They will certainly always be around to provide the help and support primary care facilities need, but a long-terms solution will have to be established to ensure the continued good health of America’s aging population.
If you would like to know more about how locum tenens staff could help you, contact a member of our team today at 855-562-864.

Top 5 Reasons Why Doctors Are Opting For Locum Tenens Jobs

By Locums, Inc • 18 Feb, 2019
According to a study, about 94% of medical centers have appointed locum tenens doctors in the last twelve months. This growing number directly reflects the transforming healthcare industry, requirements of new facilities, and also the unique career choices which are available to healthcare professionals. Whether you are starting your career, or looking for a career change,… The post Top 5 Reasons Why Doctors Are Opting For Locum Tenens Jobs appeared first on Locums, Inc..

5 Ways Hospitals Benefit from Using Locum Tenens

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Locum tenens literally means “to stand in one’s place.” The main concept stands for travelling, or freelance physicians, specialised doctors and healthcare professionals. This concept has got popular in the past few years and has made a tremendous impact on the medical industry. Currently, thousands of hospitals are recruiting locum tenens to improve outcomes, empower… The post 5 Ways Hospitals Benefit from Using Locum Tenens appeared first on Locums, Inc..

Healthcare Trends

By Locums, Inc • 06 Feb, 2019
U.S. healthcare system continue to evolve, with new technologies and programs designed to make care more accessible for Americans. The goal  for healthcare providers is to help make care more efficient and accessible for as many Americans as possible. In this blog we’re going to explore three trends which are working towards that goal. 1.… The post Healthcare Trends appeared first on Locums, Inc..

Aging In Place…American Aged Care..!

By Locums, Inc • 06 Feb, 2019
Aging in place: the big trend in American aged care 3 things you should know about aging in place http://aginginplace.com defines aging in place as: “Living where you have lived for years, typically not in a health care environment, using product, services and conveniences which allow you to remain home as circumstances change…you continue to… The post Aging In Place…American Aged Care..! appeared first on Locums, Inc..

4 Reasons To Use Locum Tenens Providers

By Locums, Inc • 06 Feb, 2019
FOUR REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD USE LOCUM TENENS First off, what’s the meaning of locum tenens? Locum tenens is a Latin word that roughly translates into “to hold a place”. Locum tenens physicians help or replace other physicians on a temporary basis, from a few days span to like six months or more. Locum tenens… The post 4 Reasons To Use Locum Tenens Providers appeared first on Locums, Inc..

Educating Patients In A Dental Practice

By Locums, Inc • 06 Feb, 2019
The link between dental health and overall health: Healthcare is a business. A business that involves educating prospective patients on why your practice is better than your competitors. It also involves educating patients on regular check-ups being better than waiting for an emergency, or a severe problem. Now, to most dentists this is obvious. A… The post Educating Patients In A Dental Practice appeared first on Locums, Inc..

The “Gig” Economy In American Healthcare

By Locums, Inc • 06 Feb, 2019
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Responsibilites Of A Chief Medical Officer

By Locums, Inc • 06 Feb, 2019
America is seeing an increase in the number of physicians taking on leadership positions in healthcare systems across the country. The benefit of this to patients is that leadership roles are being taken by people who understand the importance of patients and patient care. Chief Medical Officers who were physicians understand that the financial bottom… The post Responsibilites Of A Chief Medical Officer appeared first on Locums, Inc..

The Changing Face Of Healthcare

By Locums, Inc • 06 Feb, 2019
The changing face of healthcare in America Will It Be A Question Of Either IPhone Or Healthcare? Once a glib remark about low-income Americans having to decide between a shiny new iPhone and healthcare. This has prompted political commentators to question if the republicans understand what it is for low-income Americans to be able to… The post The Changing Face Of Healthcare appeared first on Locums, Inc..

Is The US Doctor Shortage Getting Worse?

By Locums, Inc • 06 Feb, 2019
A Shortfall Of Up To 100,000 Physicians Is Expected In The U.S By 2025 By 2025, there will be an estimated shortfall of 35,600 primary care physicians and non-primary care specialties are set to experience a shortfall of 60,300 physicians.[1] These findings, made in 2016, are consistent with a 2015 report which also reported there… The post Is The US Doctor Shortage Getting Worse? appeared first on Locums, Inc..
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