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Friday 31 January 2003
The word "crisis" should be plural when referring to our medical care situation
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The shortage of doctors has made a lot of big news, and is much discussed. But until these nurses went on strike, I have heard very little about the serious shortage of nurses in the area.
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Citizens Voice : RNs strike at W-B General Hospital - " Dr. Host later responded, "It's not going to go. The fact of the matter is there is no way to operate this institution in today's economy without this small amount of mandatory overtime and it's here to stay, for a long time."
Times Leader: HOSPITAL DISPUTE Making a striking statement - "The hospital has refused to eliminate most mandatory overtime or improve staffing levels, saying it cannot give up staffing flexibility."
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These situations, the doctor shortage and the nurse shortage, seem very scary to me.
And why is it that nobody seems to address the root causes of these shortages? What exactly is it about "today's economy" that makes it impossible for hospitals to be adequately staffed? Maybe someone should take a look at that?
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I have this computer game called Tropico, and I think of it because in the game, the player in this simulation game is a dictator in power of a tropical island. The mission is to stay in power (making the people happy so they don't revolt), while profiting and building up into an industrial ssociety & tourist haven. In the game, there's an "assistant" who speaks to the player during the game, alerting the player to situations developing on the island. If the player hasn't built enough clinics & hospitals, or if there's not enough medical workers staffing them, the assistant's voice will shout at the player, "The people! They suffer from lack of medical treatment!" I think the powers that be in Northeastern Pennsylvania need such an "assisstant", because it seems to me somebody's not been paying attention. (I'd hardly like to think it's just that the people in charge just don't care.)
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There are a lot of issues to be taken care of to 'cure' the medical professional shortages & problems. But I don't think overworking the nurses (or doctors), that are sticking it out here, is part of the solution - that sounds like it's part of the problem.
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posted by Chloe | Friday 31 January 2003 8:01 PM
Comments
I've noticed an EXTREME shortage of doctors in PA, specifically Erie.
A couple of years ago, I was able to get in to see my doctor at a moments notice for minor emergencies. Now I have to go to the emergency room because his practice has gotten so big. THERE ARE NO DOCTORS HERE, and he has to keep taking patients. A physical or routine appointment takes 3 months.
Forget about trying to see a specialist, at least for 3-6 months.
This is directly affecting patient care. Why can't anyone see that?
Posted by Shari | Thursday 12 June 2003 5:39AM
I recently went through my own ordeal, which I believe was extended & made worse by the shortages.
Posted by Chloe | Thursday 12 June 2003 8:15PM
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