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Florida doctor shortage is real
Orlando Sentinel ^ | March 26, 2006 | Carolyn King Roberts

Posted on 03/26/2006 9:38:53 AM PST by Brilliant

Last week, the Board of Governors considered an issue of great importance to the university system and to the citizens of Florida -- the question of how to provide a level of medical education that best meets the needs of this state.

After careful deliberation and study, the members of the Board of Governors approved proposals for new medical schools at the University of Central Florida and Florida International University as part of a comprehensive plan. This plan includes expanding enrollments at existing medical schools and creating new medical residencies...

In looking at the UCF and FIU proposals, the Board of Governors considered and approved other options -- expanding existing medical schools and advocating for creation of more residency opportunities for medical students. The board passed a resolution that recognizes the need to address the problem in a multifaceted way...

Ultimately, however, the decision came down to this -- Florida's doctor shortage is real and long-lasting, and Florida's reliance upon importation of physicians puts the state in a vulnerable position.

Anyone who has tried to make a doctor's appointment or spent hours in a waiting room knows all too well that Florida needs more physicians. Our traditional dependence on importing doctors is no longer adequate. It is in the best interest of the citizens of this state for Florida to educate enough doctors on its own, not continue to rely on universities elsewhere to fill the breach.

Florida is a fast-growing and dynamic state, and it must always look ahead -- it must anticipate change and prepare for the future. With this important vote, the Board of Governors anticipated a problem that threatens our state -- a continuing shortage of doctors -- and took action to ensure the future of medical care in Florida...

(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: doctors; education; florida; healthcare; medicalschools; physicians
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The number one thing we can do to improve our health care system is increase the number of doctors.
1 posted on 03/26/2006 9:38:55 AM PST by Brilliant
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To: Brilliant

Why anyone would WANT to become a doctor... I have no idea.


2 posted on 03/26/2006 9:40:45 AM PST by taxcontrol
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To: Brilliant
The number one thing we can do to improve our health care system is increase the number of doctors.

Obviously, the number two thing we can do to improve our health care system is DECREASE THE NUMBER OF LAWYERS!

3 posted on 03/26/2006 9:42:09 AM PST by ExSES (the "bottom-line")
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To: Brilliant

you are correct!


4 posted on 03/26/2006 9:42:17 AM PST by bmwcyle (We got permits, yes we DO! We got permits, how 'bout YOU?;))
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To: taxcontrol
Why anyone would WANT to become a doctor... I have no idea.

Yea, there's no gratification or financial reward in practicing medicine.

Oh, you must be thinking of lawsuits and malpractice insurance rates!

5 posted on 03/26/2006 9:43:33 AM PST by Cagey (You don't pay taxes - they take taxes. ~Chris Rock)
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To: Brilliant
Why not open the floodgates to doctors of any third world country despite the quality of their medical schools.
they can start out as residents in the lesser teaching hospitals and then stay on.
they can then take care of medicare patients and network with their fellow immigrants.
they can consult each other and do unnecessary procedures at taxpayers expense.
An elderly patient who comes in for a gall bladder resection , can have a cardiac consult (of course by the cousin of her primary care doc), a gi consult -and get scoped at both ends -by a cousin- etc. etc.
NAH! it could nevr happen here!
6 posted on 03/26/2006 9:46:22 AM PST by avile (it sure does)
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To: ExSES

You hit the nail on the head. Less lawyers means more doctors. We need to put a moratium on law school admissions for the next 15 years and put a cap on lawyers fees for class action and injury law suits.


7 posted on 03/26/2006 9:49:19 AM PST by hometoroost (TSA = Thousands Standing Around)
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To: ExSES

Obviously, the number two thing we can do to improve our health care system is DECREASE THE NUMBER OF LAWYERS!
______________________________________________________

Health care system and just about every system. You are soooo right!


8 posted on 03/26/2006 9:50:25 AM PST by eleni121 ('Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!' (Julian the Apostate))
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To: Brilliant

Why am I not suprised. Being a doctor is a huge commitment, Alot of schooling dedication. Why be a doctor when you can be a lawyer, accountant or get into manual labor and earn the same wages.

Plus with all the liabilities and the pressure in this domain it's not easy. C'mon in the middle of an operation you just can't take a break and it take hours of non stop labor.


9 posted on 03/26/2006 9:53:31 AM PST by Petey139
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To: Brilliant

Not really. People need to know how to use the doctor wisely. Also, if we cut down on the number of people the doctors are forced to see, ie, welfare and illegal immigrants, who fail to pay, doctors would be more prone to hang around.


10 posted on 03/26/2006 9:53:48 AM PST by Millicent_Hornswaggle (Retired US Marine wife)
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To: Millicent_Hornswaggle

Also, if there were more laws governing the way people bring lawsuits, there would be more doctors. Many doctors are leaving practice because they can't afford malpractice insurance.


11 posted on 03/26/2006 9:55:10 AM PST by Millicent_Hornswaggle (Retired US Marine wife)
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To: Brilliant

and decrease the number of lawyers


12 posted on 03/26/2006 9:57:04 AM PST by Mom MD
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To: Millicent_Hornswaggle

actually, its not the number of pts to see. Its the lack of pay (yes, I know some are making millions, but most of us are not, I work 60 hour weeks (and this is considered part time) for less compensation than most other professionals.
The worst part though, is all the federal regulations. If I could just do what I do without having to worry about the lawyers, hcfa, ncqm, and all the other alphabets, the job would be a lot more rewarding.


13 posted on 03/26/2006 10:00:43 AM PST by Mom MD
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To: Mom MD

Who else here remembers Hillary Clinton shutting down Medical Schools to avert a glut of doctors?


14 posted on 03/26/2006 10:02:14 AM PST by Sundog (cheers)
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To: Brilliant; Cagey; MotleyGirl70
Who needs doctors when you have Tor?


15 posted on 03/26/2006 10:07:03 AM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: Brilliant
I recently had surgery. I live in Florida but I had the operation performed in a Chicago suburb where I'm from. There's plenty of doctors where I live here on the Gulf coast. Half hardly speak English and the other half just got off the boat.

The question is, "What do you take when you're sick in Florida"....the answer is, "The first plane north."

Leni

16 posted on 03/26/2006 10:10:10 AM PST by MinuteGal (Sail the Bounding Main to the Balmy, Palmy Caribbean on FReeps Ahoy 4. Register Now!)
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To: Larry Lucido; MotleyGirl70

I'm off hot water.


17 posted on 03/26/2006 10:11:07 AM PST by Cagey (You don't pay taxes - they take taxes. ~Chris Rock)
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To: Brilliant

How long before TS is mentioned....?


18 posted on 03/26/2006 10:22:27 AM PST by dakine
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To: Brilliant

Isn't Florida one of those high liability states?


19 posted on 03/26/2006 10:23:29 AM PST by Fishing-guy
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To: taxcontrol
"Why anyone would WANT to become a doctor... I have no idea."

Exactly....There may not be a financial incentive to practice medicine there. It would interesting to see the percentage of Medicare/Medicaid that are seen because reimbursements from them are minimal. I would also be curious about malpractice rates. The state may play a role in it too. In their effort to not have MD's come from out of state and work for a few years and then retire, they may make it real difficult for MD's to get a license there. I know this is true in TX.
20 posted on 03/26/2006 10:25:54 AM PST by Kimmers
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