LocumLife - July 2008 - (Page 14)

Caring for the older generation skills required to treat an older population are part of the provider’s skill set.” SUPPLY AND DEMAND Despite the compelling evidence of present and future demand for this expertise, the geriatrics specialty has remained a relatively small group. The American Geriatrics Society reports current membership at approximately 7,000. This is a steep shortfall from the anticipated 36,000 specialists needed to care for the —Melissa Byington aging population over the next 20-plus years. “Geriatricians may function under a bit of a disadvantage, financially speaking. Because their patient mix leans heavily on Medicare coverage and reimbursement rates continue to be whittled away, these doctors are not necessarily earning the higher salaries,” says Ms. Byington.“We have seen a shift by providers to specialties where the additional education and training translates into income potential; geriatrics is not one of those specialties. “But that is where the beauty of locum tenens comes into play,” she continues. “Most temporary physicians and non-physician providers are paid on an hourly or daily basis. They need not be as concerned with reimbursement rates.” On the other hand, many medical educational programs have set out to incorporate more geriatric issues into their core curriculum.“About 5 or 10 years ago, there was an effort by academic institutions to become more proactive on the topic. Physicians coming out of residency programs today already have substantial exposure to the geriatric side of medicine,” comments Ms. Byington. “Also, there is an unspoken expectation among clients that younger locum tenens physicians and non-physician providers can smoothly step in to treat seniors.” Providers who care for this group are in demand in acute care facilities, ambulatory centers and clinics, and solo and group private practices. Ms. Byington explains, “The fastest-growing specialties are those geared specifically to an older population. We see a high demand for primary care physicians “The fastest-growing specialties are those geared specifically to an older population.” Circle Career Card No. 614 14 LocumLife JULY 2008 www.LocumLife.com http://www.weatherbylocums.com http://www.weatherbylocums.com http://www.LocumLife.com

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LocumLife - July 2008 Editorial From Nalto Stat! Survey Says Last-Minute Luxury Dynamics Caring For the Older Generation Enjoying the Rewards of a Locum Tenens Lifestyle Advertisers' Index Opportunities Direct Going Mobile Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - July 2008

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