Will It Be A Luxury To Meet Physicians?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) rang a bell multiple times in the past decade, forecasting a shortfall of 10 million healthcare workers globally by 2030. With over half of the world’s population lacking access to essential healthcare, it is easy to sum up: we’re heading towards a healthcare crisis.

Sombre numbers from

The 2023 report of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects the total physician shortage in the U.S. of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034.
As for Europe, “the health workforce crisis in Europe is no longer a looming threat – it is here and now” the World Health Organization declared in 2023.
In Asia, besides missing healthcare professionals from the health system, an uneven geographical distribution of health workers is a further obstacle.
We see increased healthcare worker migration to rich countries – leaving the vulnerable – especially in Africa – even more so.

According to the 2023 WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards list, the situation is getting worse year after year. The latest list comprises 55 countries that face the most pressing health workforce challenges related to universal health coverage. In particular, these countries have: 1) a density of doctors, nurses and midwives below the global median (i.e. 49 per 10 000 population); and 2) a universal health coverage service coverage index below a certain threshold.

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The main drives for these shortages are similar: on the one hand, it’s the population’s growth and ageing. This highly contributes to the increased need for medical professionals. In the U.S., the population aged 65 and over is projected to grow by 45.1% by 2033. On the other hand, active physicians are getting older in the developed world, nurses are leaving their profession in great numbers.

Where numbers lead us

Based on the statistics, we can declare that there will always be a shortage of healthcare professionals globally

There will always be fewer health workers trained than needed. As more and more people receive care and our diagnostic arsenal is improving, the number of people diagnosed with chronic diseases will keep on increasing. Similarly, as the number of areas providing advanced health care increases, the demand for skilled medical professionals will remain the same – or will grow.

A medical school bottleneck further augments the problem: medical schools receive far more applications they can and will facilitate. Later comes another obstacle: the lack of residency spaces. This is a global problem; and it comes as no surprise that the annual Match Day, organised by the National Resident Matching Program in the United States, is celebrated throughout the country. This is the day when medical school students and graduates from the U.S. and worldwide learn which residency programs they can join in the States over the coming 3-7 years. In 2023, there were 43k+ active applicants for 37,425 places. It matters most for our statistics because numbers here are accurate predictors of future physician workforce supply.

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There is a global shortage of nurses and midwives, who represent more than 50% of the current shortage of health workers, and the International Council of Nurses' latest report paints a dark picture of the mental health and well-being of the professionals working in the segment.

The WHO-led Fifth Global Forum on Human Resources for Health had put together a list of recommended action points addressing the human resources problems in healthcare. The Action Plan is guided by five “core principles”:

Use data to inform and drive decision-making in planning and investment.
Engage stakeholders through inclusive cross-sectorial dialogue.
Promote equity, ensuring the benefits reach the vulnerable and underserved.
Align investment and action with the needs of populations and health systems.
Remain country-led, empowering national governance and leadership

Drawing conclusions

With the issues above combined, we need to get prepared for a new era in healthcare. On the upside, it means an ever-improving quality of care worldwide. It's provided by widespread and common use of technology tools and devices in the hospital and at home. On the downside, there will be larger distances between doctors and patients and even nurses and patients. Here are the most important repercussions:

We will not be able to talk to a doctor about every single health issue, neither live nor over the phone. (If you can do so today, praise the moment – this will change or be utterly expensive.)

AI-based chatbot systems and other algorithmic solutions will take over on triage and while waiting. In fact, AI could contribute to solving the human resources crisis in healthcare – read more about it here. We are already starting to see the generative AI revolution bringing practical solutions to everyday healthcare. Chatbots specifically trained for medical use will enter the arena soon, they will become multimodal, which will mean that in the foreseeable future waiting days or weeks for a doctor will very likely pose higher risks than having AI as the first line of contact.

Patients and doctors need a cultural transformation: healthcare professionals and patients are in this together hand in hand. The first line of response will inevitably need to be technological, not personal, saving time for physicists and nurses alike.

Technology is changing healthcare, and it is a good thing. From doctor-patient relationships to better diagnostics, forecasts and analyses; from better organised medical settings and streamlined hospital services to more secure and accessible health data handling; we have a lot to gain.

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Ultimately, we might not need more healthcare personnel, but a smarter distribution and workflow as embracing technological solutions will ultimately lead to better health – and better care.

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The post Will It Be A Luxury To Meet Physicians? appeared first on The Medical Futurist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to use complementary medicine?

Complementary Medicine refers to any medical treatment that works in conjunction with mainstream medicine. This covers treatments like acupuncture, aromatherapy and chiropractic care, homeopathy or hypnosis as well massage therapy, naturopathy, reflexology and traditional Chinese medicine.

Complementary medicine is not meant to be used in place of conventional medicine, but instead as a complement. They're also sometimes called “alternative” or “integrative” medicine because they integrate Western scientific methods with other approaches that have been proven effective in healing people.

What types of treatments aren't considered holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine is an approach to healing that looks at the whole person rather than just treating the symptoms. It promotes health and prevents disease.

Holistic medicine employs natural remedies like herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, and surgery instead of using drugs and surgeries.

Holistic medicine encompasses lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, meditation, yoga and breathing exercises.

Integrative medicine is also known as holistic medicine. It integrates all aspects, including the patient's spiritual, mental, and physical needs, into a single comprehensive care plan.

Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention and early diagnosis of disease and encourages healthy lifestyles.

Holistic doctors believe in the possibility of multiple causes. Instead, holistic doctors consider the whole picture, including genetics, environment, lifestyle choices and personal habits.

Holistic practitioners emphasize the mind and emotions more than the body.

Holistic physicians collaborate closely with their patients in order to determine the best fit for each individual.

How safe is holistic medicine.

Holistic medicines can be safe as they don't contain harmful drugs and are natural remedies that people have used for centuries.

They have been shown to cure many illnesses, such as arthritis, chronic pain, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, infertility, etc.

Millions of people all over the globe are using holistic medicine to treat various types of illnesses. They include homeopathy. It also includes chiropractic care. Herbal treatments. Massage therapy. Yoga. Meditation. Hypnosis. Nutrition. Counseling. Exercise. These therapies address the whole person, not just the symptoms.

Where can I find more information about holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine, a form of holistic medicine, focuses on the entire person and not on a single part. Holistic medicine considers all aspects a patient's lives, including their spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being.

Holistic medicine's goal is to treat the whole person rather than just individual symptoms. Holistic medicine is not about curing the disease. It promotes healing.

Holistic medicine encompasses preventive measures, nutrition, and treatment for chronic conditions such arthritis and diabetes.

There are many kinds of holistic medicine.

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Chiropractic medicine
Homeopathy
Herbalism
Naturopathy
Nutrition
Osteopathic medicine
Vedic medicine
Yoga

Statistics

An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

What are the 4 categories of complementary and alternative medicine?

The four major categories of CAM are natural products, energy healing, manipulation therapies, mind-body medicine and natural products. Mind-body medicine encompasses yoga, Tai Chi, Reiki and massage therapy. It also includes homeopathy, homeopathy, aromatherapy (reflexology), naturopathy biofeedback, Hypnosis, hypnosis, and chiropractic care. Natural products include herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, and botanicals. Manipulative therapies are physical manipulations like acupuncture or chiropractic care, acupuncture or therapeutic exercise. Praying and visualization are two of the methods used to heal energy.

CAM is an umbrella term for various health practices outside traditional Western medical models. The scientific evidence supporting these practices is varied, as are the types of drugs they use and what conditions they treat. Some CAM practitioners can also do diagnostic testing (e.g., blood test) and prescribe medication. Some practitioners do both.

Each category has many subcategories in addition to the four main categories. There are many subcategories within mind-body medicines, such as relaxation techniques and mindfulness training. Natural products include nutritional supplements, botanical remedies, homeopathic remedies and essential oils. Manipulative therapies include manual, movement, traction, electrotherapies, cupping, stretching, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, orthopedics, and neurostimulation. There are also spiritual healing methods such as prayer, faith healing, and energy healing.

Many CAM treatments treat symptoms but do not address the root cause. Some chronic diseases can be helped by CAM. If used correctly, CAM may be a complement to conventional treatments.

There are many different reasons people use the CAM.

To improve their overall well being.
To manage a condition.
To reduce pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a person's belief system.

Because it gives them more control than traditional medicine, some people choose CAM. They may believe it has fewer side effects. Others choose CAM to avoid taking prescription medications. Some prefer not taking prescription medications if at all possible. Many people also seek out CAM because of bad experiences with traditional medicine.

People who use CAM often say that they want to know the basics of what they are doing before trying anything new. Many CAM users want to know more about the safety of CAM. Others rely upon word-of-mouth referrals from family and friends.

Although CAM is often seen negatively in society, most users report positive feelings towards CAM. People who use CAM are more happy and healthier than those who do not. This holds true regardless if you are of any gender, race or ethnicity.

A large majority of Americans practice some form or another of complementary and alternative medicines. 95% of adults have used CAM at some point in their lives. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NCCIH, estimates that approximately 40 million people visited CAM providers in 2010.

The NCCIH estimates 10 percent of the U.S. populace uses chiropractors.

In 2013, the American Medical Association reaffirmed its support for integrative medicine. It acknowledged that integrative medicine should be integrated into the clinical practice of physicians to best meet the needs and expectations of patients.

The Institute of Medicine published a landmark document in 2007 called “Relaxing Contraints: Improving Access To Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” This report stated that there is no evidence that any specific CAM intervention is capable of curing, preventing, or treating cancer.

CAM continues its popularity despite the fact that it has been proven to be very popular. In 2008, CAM practitioners saw an 8 percent increase in number compared with 2007.

A recent study found that almost half of the respondents reported using CAM as part of their primary healthcare regimen.

CAM therapies include natural products as well mind-body practices, manipulative technologies, energy healing methods, exercise, diet supplements and other approaches.

Many CAM therapies are used primarily as pain relief. But, many offer additional benefits such relaxation, improved moods, better sleep, decreased stress and enhanced immunity.

For example, acupuncture can help relieve chronic back pain, reduce anxiety and depression, improve immune function, promote weight loss and improve menstrual symptoms.

Many CAM treatments draw on Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine. These roots can be traced back thousands of decades.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for instance, originated over 5,000 years ago. This practice has been in China since antiquity.

TCM was only in the mid-1800s that Western science gained prominence. However, it is still an important part of modern health care.

TCM is used to treat a majority of Americans.

Yoga is another popular CAM remedy. Yoga originated in India around 5000 B.C. Yoga is now widely accepted worldwide.

Yoga is gaining popularity because of its many benefits, including spiritual, mental and physical.

Yoga can relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.

Although there isn't much scientific research on yoga, it appears that it has positive effects on sleep33. Yoga may be beneficial for people with insomnia.

Other CAM therapies such as aromatherapy, meditation, and homeopathy are also being accepted by mainstream medicine.

One of the most used types of CAM is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines can include herbs, spices, plants, seeds and fruits as well as bark, leaves, roots, stems, and other medicinal substances.

They are commonly used as safer alternatives to prescription drugs and are often preferred by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 45% of adult cancer patients used alternative medicine during their treatment.

The National Institutes of Health has estimated that 60% of patients with breast cancer use CAM. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 50% of all cancer survivors reported using CAM.

According to a recent survey, 51% reported that they used at least one type (CAM) of CAM.

Only 8% of these people discussed the use of this medication with their doctors.

Healthcare delivery suffers from a large gap because of the lack of communication between CAM users, conventional medical providers, and traditional medical providers.

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By: berci.mesko
Title: Will It Be A Luxury To Meet Physicians?
Sourced From: medicalfuturist.com/physician-shortages
Published Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +0000