ONCOLOGISTS WANTED, SHORTAGE LOOMS
Just when the outlook for cancer patients improving with new early diagnoses, new treatments, and improved survival rates, we find our doctors don’t want to go into the oncology specialty.
By 2020, there will be a 4000 shortage in cancer doctors. It will be gradual as our cancer doctors are aging with over half of the oncologists now over 50 years old.
With our aging population, it is estimated the number of cancers will double in people over 65. Many doctors are ready to retire, and those left will be female. Its great to have a balance in the sexes, but women oncologists see fewer patients than their male counterparts. It may be they work fewer hours because of family obligations or they spend more time with their patients.
Nevertheless, one wonders if cancer patients really need to be continually cared for by cancer specialist. We might be able to train nurse practitioners to cover some of the aspects of cancer care when patients go into remission or the cancer is eliminated. Another solution might be to have an entire team providing care for patients at different stages of their disease.
All the possible available solutions, might diminish the quality of care that our patients with cancer deserve.
Source: American Society of Clinical Oncology, Sept 2008 report
What do you think? Your comments are always appreciated.
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