5 Things Every Physician Should Know Before 2018

The days have grown shorter, the nights colder and the fantastic colors of the New Hampshire's fall foliage will soon give way to winter!

Which means it's time to take a look at what lies ahead for physicians. 

Soon it will be time to say goodbye to 2017 and hello to a new year. With that in mind, take a look at these five things every physician should know before 2018:

1) Physicians remain in demand

The nation's physician shortage has been well-documented. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, population growth, the increase in the number of aging Americans and retiring physicians will leave the country 100,000 physicians short by 2030. 

While this is certainly alarming news for the nation, it does present an opportunity for physicians in search of new opportunities. Those who are interested should have no trouble finding hospital and healthcare systems interested in their services. 

2) Physician burnout remains a concern

Bureaucratic tasks, too many hours at work, feeling unappreciated and the computerization of practice. These are the top four reasons physicians feel burned out, according to a Medscape survey of more than 14,000 physicians. 

The survey found that the percentage of physicians who say they're feeling burned out is steadily increasing. Being aware of the signs of burnout, seeking employment with an organization that values work-life balance and asking for help are some of the keys to preventing it. 

3) People trust providers

The healthcare industry is constantly changes. New technology, payment models, leaders, and approaches to care delivery can make it seem like change is the only constant in the industry. 

It also proves the old axiom: The more things change, the more things stay the same. 

People still consider medical doctors to be among the most trustworthy professionals in the country, according to a survey conducted by Gallup. This is an important fact to keep in mind as you work through all of the change that consistently seems to occur in the industry. 

4) Care coordination will continue to expand

Here are some facts and figures provided by "Hospital and Health Networks" that reaffirm the need for care coordination:

• The average Medicare patient sees seven physicians across four different practices;
• There is still a keen focus on leveraging the power of innovation to transform the health care delivery system into something that is more efficient;
• In coming years, physicians should expect a movement toward partnerships with community resources as part of the care coordination team.

With more aging patients, more diverse patient populations and more pressure to improving outcomes at lower costs, physicians working at hospitals that embrace care coordination are likely to experience more success. 

5) More physicians are moving

This has been a monumental year for physicians in the United States. As first reported by "Modern Healthcare," 2017 marked the first time in U.S. history that less than half of all practicing physicians owned their medical practices. 

It seems that physicians are moving en mass toward larger practices--and this is a trend that shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.  

Apparently, compliance costs, new payment models and the stress of owning and operating a practice has become too much for many physicians to take on. 

The good news is that there are many healthcare systems searching for talented providers who want to focus on patient care rather. 

If you're interested in joining the ranks of those who've made the shift to larger practices, connect with Elliot Health System today! You'll be sure to have the resources you need to succeed.