America has long been facing a healthcare crisis. The loss of a job can mean the difference between having superior healthcare coverage for you and your family and having none. But millions of Americans don’t benefit from employer-sponsored healthcare and struggle to receive even the most basic care. Yet no one can afford to take access to high-quality healthcare for granted. No one knows what tomorrow will bring.

According to data published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), America could face a shortage of between 54,100 and 139,000 physicians by the year 2033. Sadly, this alarming number does not even reflect the high number of people with barriers to healthcare access, such as those who live in rural areas and some minorities. If underserved Americans used the healthcare system like the majority of citizens, the demand could increase by an additional 74,100 to 145,500 physicians. Another significant finding is the projected Growth of the population aged 65 and over is about 45.1% by 2033, compared to an overall population growth rate of 10.4% during the same period.

Naturally, an office visit for a 70-year-old with several chronic medical problems will be more time intensive than one for a healthy 40-year-old, but we all want and deserve access to an attentive physician. We all want to know our physician will have time to see us whenever we become ill. Imagine a shortage of thousands of physicians in your state in the not-so-distant future. What will healthcare be like? How long will you have to wait to see a primary care physician? What about a specialist? 3 The mere thought is enough to bring on goosebumps.

While the future of healthcare is uncertain, there are things everyone can do to improve his outlook. Learning how to communicate with medical professionals and expedite your diagnosis can go a long way in optimizing your health care future. This blog will feature several posts dedicated to teaching you how to talk to your doctor in a way you never before imagined. Stay tuned!

Originally Published on https://patientempowerment101.blog/

Ann M. Hester, M.D. The Yes I Can Doc

Ann M. Hester, M.D. is a board-certified internist with over 25 years of experience caring for patients. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Dr. Hester is passionate about empowering patients to take control of their healthcare. Her mission started in medical school when she witnessed a tremendous amount of unnecessary pain and suffering. Over the years, she has written various patient empowerment pieces online and through books. Her latest book is Patient Empowerment 101: More than a book, it’s an adventure! This unique work takes an unprecedented step in helping people think more like doctors do so they can position themselves right where they belong to be, at the center of their healthcare team.