Question

How does the aging of the population, health insurance reimbursement, and consumer demand impact the practice patterns of health care clinicians? What new strategies do rural hospitals need to implement to successfully attract and retain physicians in their markets? What is the primary barrier for physicians to locate and practice long-term in a rural setting?

Answer 1

During the 20th century there were great changes in patterns of population health status and survivorship in both the industrialized and developing worlds. Among industrialized nations, the early part of the century saw the greatest improvement in mortality among infants, children, and pregnant women. These improvements continue to the present time. Later in the century, however, substantial reductions in mortality among older adults occurred in nearly all developed countries as a result of declines in deaths primarily from heart disease, but also from other major causes. Moreover, there has been a shift among older persons to surviving, and even thriving, with prevalent chronic illnesses such as various heart conditions and arthritis. Population surveys have also indicated that the age-specific prevalence of physical disability has declined in some countries (Jacobzone et al., 1998). Developing countries have lagged behind their more industrialized counterparts in terms of mortality decline and the overall epidemiological transition from a preponderance of infectious and parasitic diseases to one of chronic and degenerative diseases.
The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise from 16 percent to 23 percent. The older population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Between 2018 and 2060 the share of the older population that is non-Hispanic white is projected to drop from 77 percent to 55 percent. Despite the increased diversity in the older adult population, the more rapidly changing racial/ethnic composition of the population under age 18 relative to those ages 65 and older has created a diversity gap between generations.Older adults are working longer. By 2018, 24 percent of men and about 16 percent of women ages 65 and older were in the labor force. These levels are projected to rise further by 2026, to 26 percent for men and 18 percent for women. Many parts of the country—especially counties in the rural Midwest—are aging in place because disproportionate shares of young people have moved elsewhere.The other way to claim your health insuranceis via reimbursement. You can pay for the medical expenses upfront and get the treatment done, and later submit all the bills to your insurer. Upon assessment of the bills, the insurer reimburses the expenses that you have incurred based on your sum assured limit.The economic factors that most affect the demand for consumer goods are employment, wages, prices/inflation, interest rates, and consumer confidence

5 Strategies to Market and Promote Your Medical Practice

1. Have a professional website, a well written blog, and an active Facebook page and Twitter handle. ...
2. Be active in the community. ...
3. Donate a physical or consultation or cosmetic service for a local charity auction.
4. Have an open house (with refreshments and door prizes). ...
5. Become the expert.

Background The nationwide provision of GP care in rural areas presents a challenge in the German health care system During their education, medical students are often exposed to pejorative views of General Practice (GP) in other specialist disciplines . A positive perception of a subject, arising from different determinants that can be modeled, seems to be a predictor for the subsequent choice of this discipline .Methods To explore individual expectations and experiences, a qualitative approach was chosen. The participants (TN) were interviewed in two guideline-based one-to-one interviews. The interviews were conducted at the beginning of the Practical Year (Pre) and at the end (Post) Results The results present the statements of the pre- and post-interviews of 19 PY students (4 male, 15 female, no dropout). Of these, 13 participants completed their PY in one of the selected rural practices, six participants in urban practices. After the PY, a total of 13 participants had definitely decided in favor of specialization in GP (with 12 participants to start training in a clinic, one in a rural practice). Three took specialization in GP into consideration and a further three decided against it.