American Healthcare: Primary Issues

A Hopeful Outlook

Writing Remix: An Acrostic

Rhetorical Devices Used:

 1. Second Person

2. Pathos

P ay attention.

R ethink

I mmediately

M edical legislation

A nd

R eform

Y our thinking.

Care from primary physicians

Absolutely

Remains

Essential.

~To all of the legislators and medical reformers who believe primary care is not necessary…and to all of the individuals plagued by ignorance who believe women cant be doctors…

You need to listen to and be aware of the primary care shortage in America. You need to begin to view primary care physicians and women in a different light, as it is a necessary field and us women can get the job done. Primary Care is an integral component to healthcare and society, and the healthcare system in American simply cannot function without its foundation. The debt crisis for medical students, the lack of glory and attention placed on primary care, and the educational process must be revised if we are to keep our foundation from cracking.

     Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act are pieces of legislation that changed the face of medicine forever, there is an extreme need for primary care physicians in the coming years, as Obamacare has made it necessary for Americans to carry health insurance and seek a primary care physician. They will become even more necessary with this new legislation, however; legislation has yet to come out reforming the cost and return for medical students. You must take action and contribute to the educational funding for primary care physicians if you ever expect students to pursue this field. And who decided that anesthesiologists should rake in an annual income of $350,000 while primary care physicians total only $160,000. Did you? I mean, personally, when I think of the doctor I think of my primary care physician. When I have an immediate problem, I go to my primary care physician. When I need advice, I go to my primary care physician. See a trend? This needs to be amended. Now. And it is time for our legislators to listen up.

And while you are listening to my rant, why don’t the arrogant male physicians and ignorant patients listen up as well…

You need to understand that women are just as qualified as men to become successful and thriving physicians. You need to take it to heart that women are just as capable as men in carrying out proper medical decisions and diagnosis. They are just as capable in the sciences, and are able to appropriately apply their knowledge in such a way as to impact the world. It is high time that these stereotypes and prejudices around women physicians and scientists end.

As an undergraduate female in the sciences, I am well aware of the gender imbalance. I am a biochemistry and molecular biology major, and almost always feel like the outcast as a female in such a male dominated area of study. At times I feel inadequate or not as highly trusted as many of my male counterparts, and this feeling is a direct product of the stereotypes that society has created for itself.

Men are often viewed as smarter or more capable in the field of science and mathematics in particular. Society has created this stigma, as men are usually more relevant in these fields of study. If you have any role in the creation of this stigma, then you should really think about changing your ways. Yet, these stereotypes are in no way true, and you should really believe this. Just because women are the statistical minority in these instances, it does not translate to an incapability on our parts.

This gender stereotype is one that is becoming more prevalent in our society, and it is important that you begin to see the effects of it. We as a society need more physicians and scientists to balance the aging population and the increase in diseases such as cancer. If women are discouraged at  a young age, perhaps even as middle and high school students, then we as a society and you as individuals are not doing your part in contributing to the betterment of this issue.

The issue discussed previously regarding the need for better legislation is directly correlated with the issue of gender stereotypes and prejudice. If the legislation is not there to serve as a foundation for primary care physician growth then there will certainly not be a solution to the dilemma surrounding the primary care shortage. Yet, the shortage will only be enhanced with the current stigma around women and their capability to become successful and trustworthy physicians. Many individuals feel as though they are in better hands and are more likely to be cared for in the correct manner if they have a male physician. There is a certain image created with a male doctor, as they supposedly seem stronger, more intelligent, and more qualified to be a good physician.

Yet, I am here to say this is not true, and if you believe this is true, then you need a reality check.

Women are just as if not more capable of becoming primary care physicians. Primary care physicians are the initial point of contact for patients, who are often nervous or worried in the first place to be in contact with the medical world. This being said, it is almost an essential component to a primary care physician that they be caring and compassionate, with a warm personality. They often represent the face of medicine for Americans, and it is important that they be caring and understanding towards their patients. It is important to possess a holistic perspective when you are a primary care physician, as you must consider many components and areas of their lives, including their family and overall well -being and happiness. Women, with their natural maternal instincts innately present, would be an excellent face for the initial point of contact in many cases. It is characteristically in the nature of women, and it is about high time the medical and social world listen up to this very flawed system.

While there are certainly many people who believe there is indeed an urgency shortage of primary care physicians, there is also a great deal of individuals who do not believe this is the case. In fact, some people do not have annual visits to their primary care physician and simply do not believe in this preventative type of care. 

Yet, with the affordable care act, it will be necessary that individuals have a primary care doctor, but if they utilize this gift or not is the question. 

When asked to relate a president to my issue of primary care, not going to lie, I was a little nervous as to how these two seemingly unrelated subjects would find a common ground. Then it donned on me, presidents have doctors too! In fact, there is  a personal doctor assigned to each of the presidents, and they accompany them wherever they may go. In the article from the New York Times cited above, the personal doctor to President Clinton, Dr. Mariano, is highlighted. She tells of the rigorous position she once held, along with all of the stresses and anxiety it caused. She needed to be available at any point should a medical emergency concerning the President or his family present itself.

Related Meme~

While this may be a satirical and funny representation of the shortage we must brace ourselves for, it is an ever present issue in America! One day we will truly be devoid of primary care physicians if we do not get our act together.

In an effort to gain a different perspective on my topic, I decided to investigate the opposing side to my argument for the necessity of primary care physicians. I personally believe that they are an integral component to the healthcare system in America, as they serve as the foundation of personal healthcare. Yet, it is the ideas of many that the shortage may be a blessing in disguise. There are many people who feel that these types of doctors are not necessary, and professionals such as Physician Assistants or Nurse Practitioners are just as qualified to assume the responsibilities and duties of these physicians. I personally do not believe this is the solution, but I understand the importance of a rounded view and taking into consideration the thoughts of others. 

Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are qualified medical professionals with extensive training. I takes less time to become educated as one of these professionals, with a 6 year education plan in juxtaposition to that of an eight year plan with medical doctors. This shortened education results in a decrease in expense, and thus a lesser debt from those graduating from these professions. This automatically makes these fields more attractive in this day and age, and is one of the many enticing factors. 

Also, patient satisfaction is deemed to be roughly the same, and the outcomes between these two positions do not prove to be statistically significant based on findings in this and several other articles I have come across during this entire research process. Considering this and the changing face of health care the other side of the argument certainly does bring up a good point. 

Raising Awareness~ Primary Care

Link: http://www.umassmed.edu/som/admissions/baccmdmain.aspx

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend the Umass Baccalaureate MD Pathway Program at University of Massachusetts School of Medicine in Worcester, MA. The objective of this event was to raise awareness for the physician shortage, and attempt to address this issue by creating interest in the minds of young undergraduates just setting out on the journey. This program specifically admits UMass students who are from an undeserved population, or who reside in a county in Massachusetts that is deemed to be an area with a shortage of Primary Care by Federal guidelines. This program makes it easier for qualified and passionate students to begin the road to primary care, and I was honored to be able to attend. 

Upon reading the post that was very critical, to say the last, of our English Writing 112 course and its established objectives and assignments, I was very taken aback. I was surprised that someone with no relation to the class or its ultimate objectives would give so much thought and care to our assignment. Furthermore, I was surprised at the level of offense present in his posts, and simply thought to myself that I could never, not even as an anonymous person behind a computer screen, post something with so little thought or consideration for the work of others.

I completely disagree with the statement of the individual that “Congratulations, this is a disservice to your students and a disgrace to the English department. Now anyone can see just how little you're teaching the freshmen” I have to admit at first, I was an arrogant freshman who believed that I did not need to be in this introductory writing class. I was bitter that I missed the SAT cut off by 10 points, and was adamant about the graders of the summer orientation essay rescoring my work. Yet, now as the semester comes to a close, I am SO grateful to have had the opportunity to take this course, especially with Greg as my instructor. My eyes have been opened to weaknesses in my writing, and I will use this class and the guidelines it has given me as a foundation for moving forward in my educational endeavors.

Also, I was one of the second graders who wrote an acrostic poem. It was followed up by 5 paragraphs of revised and thoughtful insight, but apparently the fact that there is an acrostic poem present in an effort to add some dimension and depth to the assignment as a whole was the move of a second grader. Furthermore, this anonymous individual believes I wrote an acrostic poem with my name, while I instead aimed to express my ideas regarding healthcare reform and the primary care physician shortage in America through a creative medium. It is my feeling that post after post and paragraph after paragraph referencing the primary care physician shortage can become very dry and boring, and the attention of the audience is at stake. The poem was something outside of my comfort zone, as is posting on social media, yet I applaud the objectives and thoughts of the instructors in prompting us students to pursue these varied paths.

While reading the other weekend I stumbled upon this interesting article that I just simply had to post.

I's pretty sure I have exhausted the subject of the primary care physician shortage and many of its factors, but one aspect of medicine I have yet to analyze is that of the physician burnout and the heavy demand placed upon primary care physicians based on the structure of their schedule.

This article highlighted the heavy demand placed upon physicians in this day and age, placing blame on the increased amounts of paperwork and the impact of the Affordable Care Act. The article also stated, 

"Those with the highest rate of burnout were doctors in emergency medicine, critical care and family practice"

Here, it is stated that family practice doctors are indeed in this category of doctors experiencing the highest rate of burnout. This is a concern because, if burnout is an additional factor contributing to the shortage, then there will be less family practice doctors in the first place, and the reasons for burnout will only be amplified. If paperwork is a problem now, do you think it will be a problem when the amount of family practice physicians decreases by 50%?

This article from woub.org in association with Ohio University and NPR detailed one of the most interesting proposals to the primary care physician shortage that I have hear up to date. It is so innovative that I am sure it has not yet been discussed on tumblr, so I have the honor of presenting it to this world of social media for the very first timeJ Pretty cool if I do say so myself.

So, one of the main issues in the primary care physician shortage is the difficulty in spurring students to pursue this avenue of medicine. I mean, I cant say I don’t blame some of these students when you weigh out the pros and cons of primary care in juxtaposition with very highly specialized fields of medicine.

Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine realized this too, as they have taken an extremely proactive and innovative stance on this issue and developed a program that will hopefully revolutionize this standing issue. The program they developed aims to entice students in to the field of primary care even before they begin their undergraduate education. The program will accept seniors in high school into medical school in an effort to increase interest.

Yep, you read that right. An eighteen year old, high achiever in high school can be accepted into medical school without so much as stepping foot on an undergraduate campus.

Seems pretty sweet to me as a freshman undergraduate student who has nerves through the roof over every assignment wonderning how it will impact my GPA an in turn my chanes of getting into medica school. If I could have that kind of security and confidence even at this point I think Id be the happiest person in the history of ever.

                                    This program through Ohio University is entitled the Early Assurance Program, and it is stated, “ Some will be given the opportunity to graduate with both an undergraduate degree and a medical degree in seven years, as opposed to the traditional eight or more”.

WHAT! TWO DEGREES IN SEVEN YEARS?

Brb moving to Ohio.

 The school believes that through enticing students early in the game and convincing them that primary care is the route to go, the shortage can be addressed from its fundamental level. It’s a pretty genius idea when you think of it, and is stated, “More than 63 percent of Ohio’s 88 counties are Health Professional Shortage Areas…” This number is way too large, and it was pretty clear that Ohio University thought this when they developed this new and revolutionary program. Ohio is certainly not the only state in America with this issue, and perhaps other states and other institutions of higher learning will jump on this bandwagon…?

The students in this program will be accepted without any of the multitude of materials needed by most other medical school applicants in the United States. They do not have to study for the MCAT (Medical school entrance exam) for three years, nor do they have to worry every single day of their undergraduate existence. They will be provided with a vast array of resources and will be set on the path to success at a very early stage.

In Greg’s class we do several generative writing assignments for each respective unit that serve the purpose of cultivating new ideas and looking at things from varying perspectives. In one generative writing assignment from unit 2, we had to summarize, analyze, and respond to a short story from Other Words. The piece we looked at was entitled Is Google Making Us Stupid, authored by Nicholas Carr. It brings to light an interesting issue concerning the prevalence and ease of access of Google in present day society. Nicholas presents the idea that we now have a different way of thinking due to the increased dependency on Google and other modes of instant gratification and solutions to our problems or questions. He explained that now, people have difficulty immersing themselves in a lengthy work of literature, as the attention span has decreased since we are not adapted to this style of learning. Furthermore, Carr suggests that we do not “read”, but rather “skim” due to the new method of presenting information as made available by Google. He explains that reading is not instinctive, and it must rather be learned. Since Google has gained such prevalence, this ability to read has decreased and rather than thinking “like clockwork” we think and function “like computers”. Carr concludes that he possesses some fear for the future of society and our way of thinking if the impact of Google continues to increase in such a way that is has in recent history.

Carr brings to light an issue that is of increasing importance in our society today. Technology has enabled us as functioning human beings in many different respects, but Goggle has especially enabled us in our way of thinking and the degree to which we have to exert effort to get a desired result. He explains that since our brain is malleable and open to changes and influences, it is greatly impact by Google. Google allows us to think differently, thus changing the chemical pathways in our brain. His presentation of the problem was unique and was relatable to many present day readers.

 I enjoyed this story written by Nicholas Carr, and I can identify with several of his concerns and even further relate them to primary care and the world of medicine.

Have you ever heard of WebMd?

Newsflash, this website that comes up as the first hit every time you Google a symptom is not your stand in primary care physician. The “board of clinicians” behind the words and so called diagnoses on this site do not hold the answer to all of your ailments, and no you are not having a heart attack because you have slight shortness of breath when you climb the stairs, and the rash on your arm is not a deadly flesh eating bacterium.