European Union predicts shortfall of one million doctors and nurses by 2020

Overseas-trained doctors accounted for 37% of UK-registered doctors in 2008.

25% of practicing physicians in the United States and 28% of U.S. medical residents come from abroad. Of these, 25% were trained in India and Pakistan.

At the same time, U.S. lawmakers suggest we save money by training fewer doctors, according to the UCMC Dean editorial.

The mounting shortage of physicians nationwide is expected to grow to 90,000 by 2020.

Compare this to China where typically 3-4 newly qualified doctors will rent a flat together to defray their costs (BusinessWeek). The U.S. has one public health professional for every 635 people. The rate in China is one per 7,000.

Comments from Google Plus:

Tim Sturgill - Makes you really wonder about the EU and US physician shortcomings—what are we going to do? Medical Home? I don't see this ideal broaching physicianopenia. I'm beginning to see ED impressions that list "failure or failed primary care." Is there a trifecta coming: Physicianopenia, Medical Home, and Readmissions?

Colin Son - Wow even more than the percentage of foreign grads in the United States http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/06/11/countries_without_doctors

Ves Dimov - The mounting shortage of U.S. physicians nationwide is expected to grow to 90,000 by 2020.

References:

Off the record Europe: Workforce planning. British Medical Association, 2011.
Countries Without Doctors?
Image source: Openclipart.org

Google Translate in Medicine (video)

"Conversation Mode" is a new interface for Android Phones within Google Translate that’s optimized to allow you to communicate with a nearby person in another language.

In conversation mode, simply press the microphone for your language and start speaking. Google Translate will translate your speech and read the translation out loud. Your conversation partner can then respond in their language, and you’ll hear the translation spoken back to you. See an example below.

Google Translate in Medicine from Graham Walker on Vimeo.

References:
A new look for Google Translate for Android
Conversation Mode in Google Translate for Android

Free iPhone medical translation app sets a new standard, MediBabble Translator app review. iMedicalApps, 2011.

U.S. May Face Shortage of 150,000 Doctors in 15 Years

As ranks of insured patients expand, the U.S. may face shortage of 150,000 doctors in 15 years, according to the WSJ. That shortfall is predicted despite a push by teaching hospitals and medical schools to boost the number of U.S. doctors, which now totals about 954,000.

The greatest demand will be for primary-care physicians. These general practitioners, internists, family physicians and pediatricians will have a larger role under the new law, coordinating care for each patient.

Comments from Twitter:

@doctorwes Foreign docs are lining up.

@jmphillips Once I get into medical school, I should be OK!

@ddrullinsky ok Dr. Dimov, I'm on my way to help! thanks for posting my tweet! I hope to be there next year! Great blog BTW!

@a_singledrop but # of US residency spots remains flat. Why's this ok?

@drsteventucker I'm still not moving back!

References:
U.S. Faces Shortage of Doctors - WSJ.com.

Image source: sxc.hu

UK GPs' income fell for the second year in a row in 2007-2008

Income before tax for the average GP was £100 324 (Euro 110 000; $150 000) before tax. This represents a fall of more than £3000 on 2006-2007, and £6000 on the peak year, 2005-2006, when the new contract came into force.

Expenses have risen and gross earnings have remained much the same, squeezing the net income GP principals earned from their practices.

References:

GPs' income fell for the second year in a row in 2007-8. BMJ.

Image source: Openclipart.org, public domain.

A good doctor with a "bad" accent?

Kevin, MD points out to an LA Times article (free registration required) which discusses the trouble some international medical graduates (IMGs) have getting understood by their patients:

"Although foreign-born physicians may have excellent medical training and comprehension of English, patients and co-workers can struggle to understand their speech and are often reluctant to call attention to the problem. This increases the potential for medical errors, Wilner says.

"People are frustrated when they get in this situation," she says. "Others, especially elderly patients, may be intimidated and not want to ask questions."

The comments on Kevin's blog are often very amusing, like this one by Gasman who claims to be a native English speaker:

"Sometimes it is the patient who is heavily accented. Some of these folks are n-th generation Americans but from places with dialect and accent that is quite a bit different from standard American English.

I speak perfect standard English, just like the guy on the news, so it must be the patient's that need to be changed."

Another commenter:

"I work for an HMO that's like the United Nations. I can't pronounce the names of many physicians when I book an appointment for a patient. I usually ask the patient how the doctor pronounces their name, they don't know how to."

Personally, I am not bothered by different accents, and as a patient, I would prefer to see a good doctor no matter what accent he/she has.



Video: "George (Adam Sandler) and Ira (Seth Rogen) make fun of a doctor's accent during an appointment." Courtesy of Universal Pictures. Link via Life in the Fast Lane.

References:

Excuse me, could you repeat that? By Karen Blum, Baltimore Sun, July 24, 2006.
IMGs: Get used to it. Kevin, M.D., 09/2007.
Image source: Openclipart.org, public domain.

Related reading:

Difficult Sign Out. ER Stories - Shocking, Hilarious, Bizarre, and Sad Tales from the Emergency Room, 03/2008.
'Overseas doctors - particularly those from the Far East - speak incredibly fast. Daily Mail.

Where Do Doctors Learn Best? - NYTimes http://goo.gl/Qb5mm - The last letter will surprise many.

Who would you give the job to? Verbatim excerpts from the application letters of overseas doctors seeking a job in Australia. Life in the Fast Lane, 2011.
The One Dozen Most Important Things You May Not Have Known About American Medicine - A Guide for IMGs http://goo.gl/dY6hK
"Medicalese" Glossary - what is the meaning of brady, bronch, neb, soft admission, triple-A, lytes, de-sating?   http://goo.gl/SX83R