Over the years, there has been a noticeable steady decline in the availability of healthcare professionals. This trend is a worrisome one, necessitating a lot of searchlights to be shone in that direction. The World Health Organization has predicted that by 2030, there will be a global shortage of health care workers to the tune of about 18 million health personnel.
This shortage is expected to hit harder on rural communities and developing countries, even though developed nations may not fare much better either. The American and Canadian health workforce is experiencing an insidious rocking of their boats. It is predicted that there will be a need for over 400,000 home health aides by 2032. Also, up to 122,000 physicians and 29,400 nurses will be required by the same time.
Why is the healthcare staff shortage growing at an alarming rate? Perhaps if the cause of this trend can be spotted, outlined, and understood, finding lasting solutions would be much easier.
WHY THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS
An increasing number of people requiring healthcare services The global population is ever on the increase. By 2032, the aging population is expected to grow by 48%. In developed countries such as Canada, the growing aging population is a contributory factor to the increasing demand for health care services. Due to advances in medical sciences and better living standards, there is a growing number of the aged population who are living longer than ever before.
As a result of this, there are bound to be more individuals living with chronic medical conditions brought on by their age and requiring constant medical care. Another reason for this is the constant immigration of people from other countries. This puts more burden on the services provided by healthcare facilities.
Long years needed for qualification
Getting a professional health degree and a license to practice takes a lot of time and rigorous training. This means that the entire system can only grow at as much rate as schools can
graduate health care providers. The high cost of medical training is another reason why many people may consider other career options.
Choice of specialties
Recent trend analysis shows that graduating medical students tend to pitch their tents in other specialties than in general practice and primary care. One explanation for this trend is the better remuneration therein after completing residency training and specialization. Many others also prefer to practice in big cities rather than in rural areas and the countryside, this giving rise to a further relative shortage in the rural areas.
In the light of this, action must be taken and strategic steps put in place to forestall the foreseeable negative outcomes of inadequate health care staff. As an alternative for many health degrees, online courses and degrees can be made available for easier participation. The cost of medical training can also be subsidized by the government as this encourages more persons to seek that option.
Final Words
Finally and perhaps most importantly, a culture of imbibing preventive approaches to health care should be promoted over therapeutic medicine. This will no doubt reduce the burden put on the services provided by the available health care professionals who can now direct their resources into serious and largely unpreventable health challenges.
