Monday, Jun 24 2013 4:15PM
Declines in the rural population are beginning to result in shortages of medical professionals.
When it comes to public service professionals, such as medicine, teaching and safety, many workers move to populated areas where their services are in high demand. As rural populations begin to shrink and more residents migrate to more populous cities for jobs, doctors and other trained medical professionals are leaving as well, The Associated Press reports. This may hinder economic community development and jeopardize the health and wellbeing of the rural population.
The news source notes that for the first time ever, rural locations are seeing significant population declines as the economy struggles to get back on track, young adults move away for jobs and retirees opt for areas with more recreational activities to offer. The Financial Times reports that between 2010 and 2012 alone, the rural population experienced outward migration of 179,000 residents. As these individuals leave, many states are being forced to seek out solutions to the shortages of medical care providers in these locations.
A separate Associated Press report found that some states, such as California, are relying upon new legislation to expand the types of services nurse practitioners and other professionals can offer patients in underserved locations that would normally be completed by a doctor. Other states, such as New Mexico, are struggling to find a solution to the shortage of medical professionals, which may total 2,000 physicians, 3,000 registered nurses and 800 dentists.
For more information, check out these resources: The Associated Press, The Financial Times