Growth and Development of the Medical Practice - Research Paper Example

? Medical Practice Introduction The 1980s and the 1990s were critical transition period tothe medical practice. To mitigate against the shortage the medical sector is using professionals who have a medical background but not necessary doctors to bridge this gap. This is a new concept in the medical sector. The other emerging trends that are discussed in the subsequent paragraphs include managed-care plans and government's role in the growth and development of the medical practice. Identify the medical doctor's professional changes over the past century Over the years, many changes have taken place within the medical practice for medical doctors. Such changes include the existence of physician management firms, contract for the provision of exclusive services to hospitals, merging of offices by doctors to larger practice, and increase in take up of medical insurance (Weil, 2004). In fact, according to the American Association, it is apparent that the gains for doctors have increased significantly in the last 10 years by a whopping 45%. This trend is because of the many changes that have taken place in the medical sector. The changes that are being experienced in the healthcare sector can be attributed to several factors, which include the consolidation of the healthcare system, which results to bigger hospitals and more medical insurance players. The other critical change that has occurred in the medical practice is the bridging the shortage that exists in terms of medical personnel. To mitigate against the shortage the medical sectors is using professionals who have a medical background but not necessary doctors to bridge this gap. The group of people offers critical input the health sector. They can act as physical assistant or nurses. In fact, according to America's health association, nearly 25% of professionals in the health sector fall within this category. Before rolling out of this plan, the number of doctor to the patient ratio was wanting and therefore, service delivery in terms of treatment was compromised t millions of Americans. Here are various state laws that support the services of this group of stakeholders though such laws vary across the states. This category of people must have some minimum academic qualification that will enable them to perform their duties. They are allowed to perform limited services such as basic examination of patients, ordering of lab test, provision of counseling as well as medical education, and prescription of some medication to patients. The minimum qualification for the physician assistants is two years course in behavioral science or basic science. According to VMG Health (2011), People with such qualification are free to apply to accredited programs for the physician assistants. By the year 2008, there were close to 86, 000 certified assistants. Provide information on the historical changes for medical practices Before the medical sector was characterized by solo practice, but that is no more. In the past, physicians operated in small units since three was no legal platform in place to support consolidation. The laws were so retrogressive; California, for instance, had laws in place that barred practice medicine as a corporate as well as any form of affiliation between physicians and hospital of insurance firms. However, as the years progressed, America has begun to appreciate the benefits that come with consolidating the medical practice. Currently, consolidation is permitted and the gains are apparent. The capacity of the medical practice has been enhanced as a result of such consolidation. When physicians consolidate, the practice and partners with insurance companies, they are able to acquire medical equipment, which enables them to perform their duties even better. It is worth noting that by consolidating the practice, more doctors come together to share ideas, skills, and experience they are in a position to offer better services in contrast to the time when they were operating in small independent units. Survey findings show that there has been a steady decline in solo practices and a sharp increase in larger practice. Currently more doctors work under contacts to insurance companies and hospitals. Moreover, hospitals and insurers own most medical practices now as compared to several decades ago. Currently doctors are allowed to own medical firms just like law firms or accounting firms in business arrangement. The concept of managed care is one of the contemporary issues in the medical sector. More people are taking up insurance and more insurance firms are collaborating with heath facilities. This is a good direction in the medical practice. Managed care makes healthcare accessible, improves quality of medical care, and makes medication cheaper as compared to out of pocket arrangements. Health insurance is becoming popular in the country by the day, it is therefore critical that no effort is spared towards exploiting the new concept in health. Medical insurance finances hospital to acquire world-class medical facilities that boost the treatment and care for the patients. The government is also no left behind, the government has enrolled an elaborate public medical plan which ensures that seeking treatment is affordable to all. In the past medical was very expensive and out of reach for millions of Americans. However, with public medical plan in place households can easily access and afford Medicare. Discuss aspects of the current trends in the healthcare industry and the impact they will have on physicians and medical practices The marketing in healthcare has developed over the years. Not long ago health care sector did not take seriously the issue of marketing (Perkins, 2008). However, in the recent past the health facilities have embraced marketing as the way to get an edge in the competitive market where they exist. In fact, to remain relevant hospitals are ensuring that they offer unique services. Take a case of minority group care. In the past, such a care was mainly left to special government progamme leaving a huge unexploited gap. If the management of a health facility embarks of such a progamme like caring for the minority group, it must aggressively market it so that it gains grounds. There are three marketing factors that the management of the hospital needs to put into consideration to ensure that the progamme is embraced in the market (Weil, 2004). One such factor is targeted marketing. They must identify their prospective client, which is the minority group and get the right media that will reach this group. General marketing is not recommended in a scenario like this because the targeted clients are specific and unique (VMG Health, 2011). The other factor that needs to be put into consideration is relationship marketing in which the marketing department ensures that they create a good rapport with the prospective clients. This can be achieved through offering free care to the minority group for some time. The other critical factor in marketing that the management of the hospital must put in place is cost-benefit analysis of marketing. The management must ensure that they remain economical in advertising in that the cost used to conduct the advertisement should not exceed the revenues that will be raised from the clients who come to be enrolled in the progamme. Conclusion The 1980s and the 1990s were a critical transition periods to the medical practice. More managed-care plans came into force; more physicians consolidated their practice to form larger facilities, and the government began to enact friendlier regulations that favored the growth and development of the medical practice. References Weil A. (2004). Health and Healing: The Philosophy of Integrative Medicine and Optimum Health. New Jersey: John Willey and Sons. VMG Health (2011). Valuing Physician Practices for Acquisitions: Assessing Acquisition Price & Compensation. Retrieved from http://www.vmghealth.com/Downloads/Becker%27sHospitalReview2011.pdf Perkins, B. (2008). Economic Organization of Medicine and the Committee on the Costs of Medical Care. American Journal of Public Health, 88 (11), 111-123 Read More