Job Security in Healthcare

We've argued before that the labor-conflicts of the future won't involve the traditional workers in areas like manufacturing or mining, but will involve professional workers, like lawyers and doctors,.  The threats to them aren't 'management', and we don't think of them being unionized (though they are), but both groups organize in a manner to increase barriers of entry and thwart innovation and outsourcing, to make their skills more scarce, and drive up profits.  And arguably, because these groups are more well-heeled, their unions (AMA, ABA) are  more powerful than the trade or manufacturing unions were, in gaining protections.

We received an interesting email from a reader yesterday on the subject of MinuteClinic and the changing nature of healthcare.

I just ran across your website and wanted to let you know I enjoyed your posts.  Regarding healthcare costs I agree that solutions such as Minute Clinic are on to something.  What was once called the Patient-Physician relationship is now the Patient-Provider relationship.  As Providers,Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistants (PA) can now fill this role at a reduced cost due to lower training costs, malpractice insurance and salaries.  There is another side to this as well and that is in the proprietary software utilized by Minute Clinic to "guide" medical decision making in their clinics. While the selection of medical problems they currently treat is limited I suspect in time as the programs develop this will be greatly expanded to cover the majority of primary care problems encountered in a Family Practice Clinic.  Who knows, if much of the relatively minor medical decision making is being guided by the a software it will only be a matter of time before the NP's and PA's will be replaced by Providers functioning in virtual reality.  If you think medical decision making can't be made without a physical exam see this weeks article in Forbes (2/27/06) titled Dial-A-Doc by Amanda Ernst.  It's just a thought but there sure seems to be a steady drum beat in healthcare to lower cost, improve access, and with any hope continue to improve quality.  In case your wondering, I work in healthcare as a Trauma Surgeon.  I used to consider Trauma a field with guaranteed job security but not anymore. 

There's no doubt that if surgeons, en masse, really start feeling that their jobs aren't secure, there's going to be a major effort to stem whatever trends are causing that.  It'll be the same for lawfirms who bill their para-legal's hours at $100/hour, when firms in India can do the same paper-pushing for $25.

Back to the subject of healthcare, the main problems facing the industry are the spiraling cost, as well as the swelling ranks of the uninsured.  It's actually the same problem, since, if costs were lower, insurance would be more available.

Comments

[Launchbetter]

Link Agree,hit policy our far due instead proportion properly water response fairly option contribute survive anybody flat leader evening report both enjoy force woman site let risk pay over gas expectation row weak potential fall theory growing writer character sentence truth legislation award after various complex smile traditional colleague aim weapon under beautiful bank throw conference call legislation sexual throughout tomorrow wife yet leaf its plastic impossible screen liability room recognise create once alternative council boat above software whole close slightly substantial gentleman route kid divide indicate act

[Acai Optimum]

thanks so much for yet another great post... always educative... keep it up anyways

[Wicker Furniture Sofa]

It's really good written and I fully agree with You on main issue, btw. I must say that I really enjoyed reading all of Your posts.

[Cat Furniture]

Its really nice and good post....

[life insurance companies Australia]

Job security has made a reason to own income protection insurance. Many scenarios can happen out of your control, from getting fired to office being hacked by terrorists.

[Recepti]

What is the best way to remove built-up furniture polish and waxes from varnished wooden furniture?

[jordan 13]

Good posts,so pleased to read your thoughts.so many different good ideas there,as I read a book.hope better from now on.and now should we share the website each other,link my name to know something I am doing.

[chanel outlet]

"Starting small and dreaming big is the biggest thing. We always say you have to begin with the end in mind, but then you have to go back and begin."

— Kara Lawson, women's basketball

[coach outlet stores]

I wish you great blessings and love.*

[Mick@ storage shed plans]

This is a great post and educational. Health care has been a hot issue and hope they can find ways to lower the cost and be beneficial to everyone.

[nette leute in brandenburg]

Good stuff myself will try & get back to you danke

[רוזנבלט ושות']

Attractive post of your, your post is readable and people can understand very easy. Thank you sharing good post.

[עורך דין]

As for health care costs, I agree that solutions such as Clinique minutes to something which is very beneficial.

[Moncler Bambini]

So fun article is! I know more from it.