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Various Determinants of Demand and the Physician Profession in the United States

My case will revolve around my Niece Jenny .Jenny is smart and intelligent high school student who Is seeking ways that can help him make intelligent decisions regarding his future. Therefore, she decides to discuss her issues with me to get the best advise concerning the possibility of following a career as a healthcare professional and the finest institutions for practicing medicine. She knew I was pursuing a business program in Economic. Thus she decided to send me an email for further analysis on the dynamics of physicians’ market around its demand and supply, cost of production, pricing and the profits as well as the profits and losses.As a concerned uncle , I understand the importance of focusing on a career as a doctor . Therefore, it is important for Jenny to be equipped with the best information regarding the topic as possible. I had to do some research regarding the market for doctors .With such information , Jenny will have the necessary resources she needs in order to make strong decision regarding her career decisions.

On matters concerning quantity , the demand for doctors in the US direct that people are ready to pay the least cost for them to offer their services. The need for doctors mainly depends on a number of issues such as the population needs, economic issues of the society as their level of income and the cost they are facing, technological issues associated with feasibility of consumer demands and finally , the cultural considerations.Moreover , the demand for healthcare entirely depends on the association between demand and supply in the prevailing market. According to recent studies there will be less agreement concerning the demand of doctors in the future. As for the past analysis of the market for doctors , there has been a huge shortage which in turn has affected various programs and policies within the realms of healthcare. It takes a good number of years to train new doctors as well as creating for them the necessary infrastructure.

Therefore , the country needs to plan in early for the future needs of doctors . If we look back , there has been a huge deficit of doctors in the United States which led to the establishment of new medical institutions in the country.The government also increased funds for medical institutions and motivated many people for the admission at subsidized prices.The key factors that will determine the future demand for doctors depends on the current number of physicians , millions of nurses among other healthcare professionals , approximately 300 million patients and thousands of healthcare institutions.

The paper will main focus on various determinants of demand and the physician profession In the United States . Moreover,it will provide some fundamental details how the increasing levels of demographics around the country will affect the demand for physicians as well as the reaction of the entire market. This will also assist in understanding that the dynamics is on the increase and thus , the need for doctors will also increase.

This analysis will also discuss current as well as future trends of medical cover for people who look forward to receive services from physicians.The more the society secures a firm healthcare system , the better the services of the doctors .Therefore, health insurance will be a huge factor for such decisions. Moreover, we shall also explore a number of economic factors concerning price elasticity of demand and supply of doctors in the United States based on reliable sources and data. Based on all the analysis, information and data will be examined in this paper , I would like the final decision to be made by Jenny, my niece regarding her career path towards becoming a doctor in the United States.

Justifications using Economic concepts and demographics.

Demand Determinants

Demand for physician services in the country shows that the public is will to pay the minimum cost for their healthcare services . The overall demand for doctors entirely rest on the relation between demand and supply that puts up with the various market conditions. for this to be achieved , it is important to explore the growth of the entire population as well as for the baby boomers, the trend healthcare cover and various economic factors associated with the possible needs for physicians in the United States.

Population growth and aging

This is one of the most fundamental issues that can be used to assess the future market demand for doctors in the US . Researchers are constantly indicating that the babay boomers will dominate the United States demographics in the next 5 years by approximately 50% of the entire population.Baby boomers can be described as those individuals who will reach 70 years of age by 2025 and will demand huge amount of attection from healthcare practitioners as well as physician all over the world. For that reason, the healthcare system for the countrt has to meet the anticipated demand in order to properly meet the increased demand from the baby boomers.

According to the US census bureau , in the past ten years , there has been a huge rise in the population of the elderly. Between 2010 and 2025, people 65 years of age are probably going to rise by approximately 10 % , while those beyond 65 years is expected to increase by approximately 50%. If we evaluate the physician patient ratio, it clearly shows that the prevailing pattern of health careis on the rise.For instance , approximately 300 physicians were taking care of approximately 150,000 people in the United States. Since the population of the baby boomers will increase , it will definitely establish a new market demand for healthcare professionals. The graphical presentations and statistical data clearly shows these facts due to the increase in the aging population , the demand for doctors with the country will increase by 20% by 2025.As a result , healthcare experts recommend that the reforms of health care services and other aspects of patient care will increase significantly and specialists by then. The graph below is a projection of the overall population and the aging one by 2020 which justify the future demands for doctors.

(Graph)

Impacts of Healthcare Insurance:

Healthcare cover and delivery systems in the United states remains one of the most fundamental determinants of access to various services and doctors by the rising overall population as well as the aging population in the US. Since insurance dicreases the cost of healthcare services , restrictions of healthcare plans , a huge number of people can get better services and visit doctors and healthcare specialists for their needs.

The public is classified into four categories based on their insurance cover. The first set is made up of individuals covered under a free service plan , the second one is covered under HMO plan, the third one is covered within various forms of health care management such as PPO, prefered physican ,open ended among others.The final group is for the uninsured group. All these groups will be to receiving healthcare services and regular physician visits . Therefore , there will be a significant improvement since the aging as well as the regular population will rise in the next 5 to ten years. According to my studies and analysis , the most important favtor that will increase the demand for more physicians is the previously uninsured population seeking to be insured in order to gain more access into better healthcare services due to the affordable care law .

According to xxx. The affordable care Act increased the access to insurance cover to additional 30 million individuals who were initially uninsured.Their study on this issues shows that the newly covered population through the affordable care Act , will drastically increase the demand for healthcare services and doctors .Moreover , the study also shows that primary care providers will have approximately 2 additional visits every week , accounting for approximately 4% increase in visits nationally.Outpatient departments in various hospitals will see an average of 8 additional visit every week .Therefore it is not simply the previously covered population that will lead to an increase in demand for more doctor but it is the Affordable care that has led to a drastic increase in the future needs for physicians and healthcare services in the country.

Various Economic Factors:

The a multiples economic aspects that would either increase or decrease the demand for doctors in the future .A good number of economists have indicated that the overall economic growth of the country could increase the ability of the people to afford their health cover which will raise the need for more doctors and other specialists. Moreover , it will facilitate paying high cost of quality care as the economy continues to grow .According to xxx , the historical rates of doctors per capita demand shows that the demand for doctors has increased between 1929 and 2000.The percentage increase in GDP over the years has resulted in approximately 8% upsurge in demand for doctors .

Some researchers have argued that the financial growth is not associated with the rising demand for health services and the demand for healthcare professionals, since the more individuals will be financially capable , the more they will be able to care for themselves through proper diet ,self managed nutritions and home and elsewhere. This will result in drastic decrease the need for more doctors .

Graph

Cost of Becoming a Physician:

The cost of becoming a doctor is a very important aspect to pur into consideration for those who are considering this as their career like Jenny. Recent studies have shown that the medical debt of $ 167,900 will take over 30 years for the student to complete it.If this is calculated with an interest rate of 8%, the overll cost of education is $ 430,500.This might be viewed as a lot of money in loans any individual who looks forward to be a doctor. Nevertheless, it is important to think through the demand and supply elasticity of pursuing a career as a doctor in the prevailing market conditions as to whether having such a debt could have any benefits in the long term basis. If not, it might turn to be a significant financial problem for the learners.

Price Elasticity of Demand:

the curve will indicate the fluctuations to the need for doctors by price.If the demand curve is elastic , then a slight change in price will greatly affect the need for more doctors.The elasticity of demand can be influenced by numerous factors . For instance , increased number of aging population , increase in overall population and increase in the overall cost of healthcare among others will greatly affect the elasticity of demand for doctors. According to the United States survey, the population growth in the country is expected to be 40 million more in the next ten years .All the factors indicated above could significantly raise the cost of healthcare by reducing the elasticity of demand.Therefore ,it can be a significant thing to always think through the elasticity of demand of doctors .This will help those looking forward to become doctors to be become aware of the overall trend.

The following diagram compares demand for physicians to supply .In the coming 10 years the demand for doctor will be approximately 860,300, but they will be able to only meet the demand for 749,900 needs , resulting in a shortage of approximately 125,400.

Graph

Price Elasticity of Supply

This is also an important factor for determining if pursuing a careers as a doctor is economically viable.The price elasticity of supply appears to be inelastic .Age is one major factor that would be influence the price in-elasticity since more and more doctors are considering retiring due to aging. The strategies put in place in order to increase the number of new physicians have encouraged the supply to be more and more elastic.The current number of medical institutions to increase their enrollment by approximately 40 % by 2025.

(graph)

The average demand for healthcare professionals in certain areas is usually inelastic,since there are no other alternatives to doctors. Nevertheless, the demand for a certain doctor in the market with a number of physicians is usually price elastic. When a physician increases or reduces its prices , the impact on total income would be determined by the demand elasticity for the services. healthcare institution that increases its prices while having and elastic demand will incur huge losses in the total profits , since the percentage decline in the capacity of demand will be more in prices.

Recommendations:

In order to provide a viable resolution to Jenny regarding her future career , it is important to evaluate the marginal analysis.It is necessary for Jenny to consider the balance between marginal benefits and marginal cost in order to make viable decisions . This will help her decides whether , benefits such as higher income,better skills and licence is going to surpass the marginal cost such as student loan , and the period required to attain a degree.If the benefits are beyond the marginal cost , then it would be a great move for Jenny to consider pursuing a career as a physician.

Based on the valuation of various issues , I would advice Jenny to proceed pursuing her career path of being a physician and it is evident to me that the need for more doctors is not only going to rise , but also the marginal benefits will be more than the marginal cost .

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