American Medical Association Calls For More Physician Training In Aging Care As Iom Releases Report

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 14 Apr 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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"The Institute of Medicine's new report on caring for the nation's aging highlights the AMA's concern that the current health care workforce will not be able to meet the growing health care needs of the expanding senior population. In twelve years there will be more than 70 million seniors in the U.S. - all of whom expect access to high quality medical care. Patients around the country are beginning to feel the effects of physician and nursing shortages, and it will be impossible to train the anticipated 36,000 geriatricians needed to care for seniors and aging baby boomers.

"With approximately 7,000 geriatricians currently in the United States, all physicians caring for aging patients need to become proficient in geriatric care to help meet the increasing health care needs of seniors. The AMA, in collaboration with other organizations, is working to increase physician knowledge and skills for medical students and practicing physicians to meet their needs at all stages of their medical careers.

"As more seniors rely on Medicare in the coming years, the program's financial viability is a serious concern. The first wave of baby boomers will enter Medicare in three years, but their access to care is threatened by looming Medicare physician payment cuts that demand attention by the U.S. Congress. This July, the government will begin steep cuts in Medicare physician payments, and 60 percent of physicians say this cut will force them to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can treat. Over nine years, the cuts will total about 40 percent while practice costs will increase 20 percent. These cuts will seriously harm seniors' access to health care.

"The Save Medicare Act was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, and action is critically needed to stop payment cuts and preserve seniors' access to care. The AMA has created a Web site www.patientactionnetwork.org so the public can learn about the issue and take action.

"While quality medical care for seniors requires close cooperation and teamwork among health professionals, seniors and their families also need education and support to successfully participate in their own health care. Seniors and their care-givers should bring a list of medications to physician appointments, write down care instructions, and ask questions to thoroughly understand treatment plans."

American Medical Association