Addressing physician shortages

With the impending physician shortage brought on by an aging baby boom generation and millions of newly insured Americans through the Affordable Care Act, new healthcare models may need to be explored to meet the population’s needs.

The following are options to consider to help address physician shortages:
•    Utilize retail clinics to provide quick and easier access for less severe medical problems.
•    Urgent-care centers can be used as an alternative to emergency rooms and to avoid long waits for appointments with primary care physicians.
•    Leverage nurse practitioners and physician assistants to ease physicians’ workloads.

Source: The Chicago Tribune