The Importance of Knowing About Your Health Care Provider

By Stephen F Hightower MD FACP

“The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic, or hospital.” Woodrow Wilson

fixingushealthcare.com

Monday, November 18, 2024

Dear Mr. President, Honorable Members of Congress and Distinguished Staff and Fine

Citizens,

The monitoring of the number of healthcare providers, Medical MD, Osteopathic MD,

Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Clinical Pharmacist, Advanced Practice RN, within the

United States is essential for being able to evaluate the potential for acceptable care to be

delivered to all of its citizens. For instance, in 1997 the American Medical Association lobbied to

decrease the number of available residency positions due to the feeling of an oversupply of

physicians. Not surprisingly, the AMA reversed its position on the number of residencies at the

outset of the pandemic, however the 30 years of deficient training opportunities resulted in

significant deficits of access. At this time the Association of American Medical Colleges

currently projects a United States doctor deficit of 86,000 physicians within the next decade.

The safety valve for available care in both urban and rural areas will likely be the newest

licensed health care providers consisting of Certified Nurse Practitioner’s and Physician

Assistants. Recognizing this growing need for these providers, educational programs have been

expanded with a more diverse and detailed curriculum and include common procedural

competencies. Medication prescription also gained improved emphasis with focus on

prescribing commonly used drugs for a wide spectrum of disease.

In more rural settings, Telemedicine along with Artificial Intelligence can be

incorporated to help with the potential of an extensive differential diagnosis based on

symptoms, duration, age group, exposures, and underlying medical problems. It is highly likely

that Artificial Intelligence will similarly be used in metropolitan settings in situations with

challenging diagnoses which could help protect both the patient and help reduce the risk of

illness to the primary care giver.

The Primary Health Care Provider is an essential part of your well being. It is good for

you to expect someone who listens, who shows that they care, who examines you, who

explains the reasons for blood work, x-rays or other diagnostic tests, and most importantly who

responds to your questions and concerns. Similarly, you help yourself and those around you by

being part of a community just as Woodrow Wilson noted.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephen F Hightower MD FACP

fixingushealthcare.com

Copy to: We The People at fixingushealthcare.com