Doctor Shortage

The KC Star, my primary connection to the world, reported on the approach of a nation-wide shortage of medical doctors, and by extrapolation, I presume other health care professions as well. The shortage is attributed to an aging physician population that is not being replaced by newly educated doctors. The problem is not new and no solution to my reckoning other than encouraging the study of science is being promoted. Of course, in addition to the limitations imposed by medical schools on the number of physicians trained and graduated to medical practice annually, is the formidable barrier of financial cost. There are a few scholarship programs, mostly by private charitable foundations that target minorities and ethnic groups or are available only to medical students who pass the first year. Also, traditionally, medical doctors, due to their potential earning power, have not been seen as a priority for financial assistance other than loans.

If the shortage of doctors is to be overcome, the medical schools are going to have to increase their capacity to train doctors and other medical professions and a source of funding found for scholarships that increase access by qualified students for medical school. I suggest that the industry groups whose prosperity depends on the health care system contribute funds for scholarships. Drug manufacturers, pharmacies, health insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, hospital corporations, health equipment manufacturers and suppliers, hospitals and ambulance builders are all industry groups that depend on having an adequate supply of medical professionals serving a larger clientele.

To avoid any potential conflicts of interest between scholarship fund providers and scholarship beneficiaries, the scholarship program should be administered by an independent organization, possibly part of the National Institutes for Health or similar agency that can maximize the societal benefits. To further insulate the funds providers from the fund dispensers, the donors could be encouraged by variable tax credits, according to the demand for doctors. For example, an initial endowment could be established by granting 100 per cent tax credits, with the credit percentage reducing as endowment income increases and/or the demand for physicians decreases. However it happens, something needs to be done, if you want a doctor when you need one.

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