News from September 7th through the 25th 2012

In the News

Nearly half of physicians struggle with burnout - According to American Medical News, September 3rd, 2012 the many rigors and stresses of medical practice mean that physicians experience burnout at higher rates than the general population. They work an average of 10 hours more per week and are nearly twice as likely to be dissatisfied with their work-life balance, according to an Archives of Internal Medicine study published online Aug. 20. TO READ MORE CLICK HERE



Luring Students Into Family Medicine - According to The New York Times, September 9th, 2012, Most students going into medicine imagine that they will have daily contact with their patients; but the reality is that only a minority will end up as primary care physicians, causing what some experts say could be a critical shortage in the United States, where there are long waits in both doctors’ offices and emergency rooms. TO READ MORE CLICK HERE



Nurse practitioners an underused resource - According to Star-Telegram, September 13th, 2012 nurses are crucial to the future of healthcare in our state. Texas ranks 47th of 50 states in supply of primary care physicians, and 185 of the state's 254 counties are designated as medically underserved. Texas does not have enough first-year residency slots to train Texas medical school graduates. TO READ MORE CLICK HERE

News for August 27th through September 10th

In the News

Retail clinics fill gap left by primary care doctors - Retail clinics appear to be finding their place in the health care ecosystem. Health Affairs, a health policy journal, recently released a study on the growth of retail health clinics. TO READ MORE CLICK HERE

Sharp increase expected in number of nurse practitioners - The nurse practitioner population will nearly double by 2025, according to an analysis published in the July Medical Care, the official journal of the medical care section of the American Public Health Assn. "Nurse practitioners really are becoming a growing presence, particularly in primary care," said David I. Auerbach, PhD, the author and a health economist at RAND Corp.TO READ MORE CLICK HERE

Replenishing the Primary Care Physician Pipeline - A recent survey of nearly 1,000 students from three medical schools found that just 15% planned to become primary-care physicians, including 12% of first-year students. However,the study reinforces the importance of admitting student with primary-care-oriented values and the primary-care interest and reinforcing those values over the course of medical school," the authors conclude. TO READ MORE CLICK HERE

News for August 1 to August 8, 2012

In the News

Pediatric specialty shortages cause long waits for care - According to amednews.com, (07August2012), "For primary care physicians, the shortages create difficulties in trying to refer young patients for specialty care. Sixty-four percent of surveyed hospitals said physician shortages have caused them to lose patient referrals, and 78% said they have delayed or lost clinic visits." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Aging baby boomers face home health care challenge - According to the Associated Press, Cleveland, (06August2012), "The U.S. Labor Department projects that home health and personal care aides will be among the fastest-growing jobs over the next decade, adding 1.3 million positions and increasing at a rate higher than any other occupation." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Study Examines Hospitalist Growth and Possible Workforce Implications - According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, (06August2012) "In a study on hospitalists growth, "the greatest number specialize in general internal medicine and are under the age of 45. Hospitalists in this age group are also 1.5 times more likely to be male. The authors suggest that hospitalists contribute to increased patient satisfaction, but additional coordination may be needed to ensure continuity of care between the hospital and a patient’s primary care physician."TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

In the News July 20 to July 26, 2012

In the News

New-GHS-med-school-help-fill-doctor-shortage - According to Greenville Online, (26July2012), "Though the physician workforce has more than doubled from about 3,100 in 1980 to 8,615 in 2009, according to the state’s Office for Healthcare Workforce, nearly every county is designated as a shortage area for primary care physicians." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Building the Best Physician Team - According to Health Leaders Media, (24July2012), "Hospitals are expanding their physician teams and revamping their leadership structures, establishing specialized committees to oversee various jobs and undertake new missions. The the Carolinas HealthCare System is following this philosophy." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. For male nurses, stigma no barrier - According to Highlands Today, (22July2012), "The percentage of men in nursing has doubled over the past 25 years, yet men currently comprise only 6 percent of nurses." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for July 15 to July 21 2012

In the News

Nurse Practitioner Workforce Expected to Nearly Double - According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, (18July2012), "The number of trained nurse practitioners (NP) in the United States is expected to increase by 94 percent from 2008 to 2025, according to a study published in the July issue of Medical Care. Those providing care as NPs will rise 130 percent, from 86,000 in 2008 to 198,000 in 2025." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. More Medical Schools Boost Primary Care Doctors Through Small-Town Campuses - According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, (July2012), "At a time when the AAMC projects a shortage of 90,000 physicians by 2020, the leadership at a number of medical schools hopes rural or small-town regional campuses programs will recruit students with an interest in primary care, who will put down roots where they train and practice there after they complete residency." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Demand for APRNs Set to Spike - According to Health Leaders Media, (16July2011), "The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' occupational outlook handbook estimates that by 2020 there will be a demand for 712,000 additional RN jobs. From 2010 through 2020 the demand for RNs is projected to grow by 26%, well above the 14% average growth rate for all occupations." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for June 27 to July 3, 2012

In the News

The Gap Between Skilled Healthcare Workers and Support Jobs - According to Health Learder's Media, (02July2012), "The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine data series for June reports 615,800 online job ads seeking skilled healthcare workers, led primarily by the demand for registered nurses and physical therapists. The number of online job ads for this skill set grew by more than 28,000 in June, and the average hourly wage for those jobs was $34.97." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Sharp increase expected in number of nurse practitioners - According to amednews.com, (02July2012), "The nurse practitioner population will nearly double by 2025, according to an analysis published in the July Medical Care, the official journal of the medical care section of the American Public Health Assn." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. TTC breaks ground on nursing and science building - According to the Charleston Regional Business Journal, (27June2012), "Trident Technical College broke ground Monday on a $30 million nursing and science building on the college’s main campus. The building will house TTC’s three nursing programs and provide classroom and lab space for science classes." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for June 7 to June 14 2012

In the News

Study of 'Cream-of-the-Crop' Physicians Finds Males Paid $12,000 More a Year than Female Counterparts - According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, (12June2012), "In a study conducted by a Robert Wood Johnson scholar on physicians who in 2000-2003 received prestigious, early-career research grants from the National Institutes of Health where then surveyed in 2009 and 2010 and found that males in the sample were still paid $12,000 more a year than females." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. VA Announces Aggressive National Recruitment Effort to Hire Mental Health Professionals - According to the US department of Veteran Affairs, (11June2012), "The Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki recently announced the department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce to help meet the increased demand for mental health services. VHA anticipates the majority of hires will be selected within approximately six months and the most “hard-to-fill” positions filled by the end of the second quarter of FY 2013. VA has an existing workforce of 20,590 mental health staff that includes nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. FMU receives $75K from McLeod Health for Nursing Program - According to WBMF news, (07June2012), "McLeod Health has once again partnered with Francis Marion University to support the university's nursing program and presented a $75,000 gift to FMU." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for May 14 to May 22 2012

In the News

Medical School, Teaching Hospital Leaders Emphasize Collaboration, Transformation at AAMC Spring Meetings - According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, (May2012), "Leaders of America’s medical schools and teaching hospitals gathered to explore the landscape of a changing health care system focused on improving quality, lowering costs, and educating future physicians to work alongside colleagues in other health disciplines." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Local Colleges Say Nurse Training Programs Are Full, New Nursing School May Open - According to CBS 7 WSPA, (22May2012), "Anderson University received approval today from the South Carolina Board of Nursing to begin a nursing school. There's never an empty seat at the nursing school, and sometimes qualified applicants have to wait to get in to the program. The American Nurses Association estimates from 2008 to 2018, nursing will grow by nearly 600,000 jobs. The demand for nurses is on the rise because of the aging population." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Med School Enrollment Increasing, Schools Adapting to Address Physician Shortage - According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, (16May2012), "First-year medical school enrollment is expected to reach 21,376 by 2016, an increase of 29.6 percent since 2002. Combined first-year MD and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) enrollment—which has already increased by 28 percent since 2002—is projected to reach 26,709, an increase of 37 percent, by 2016." TO READ MORE,CLICK HERE.

News for May 3rd - 10th 2012

In the News

HGTC: Spreading Smiles - According to Myrtle Beach Online, (09May2012), "Horry-Georgetown Technical College will opening the Robert E. Speir Healthcare Education Center next month. The opening of the $7.4 million health care building, scheduled for June 1, will usher in new opportunities not only for dental students, but also for low-income residents in need, including children, senior citizens and veterans." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Half of U.S. Counties Have No Ob-Gyn - According to US News and World Report (08May2012), "More than 9.5 million Americans live in areas without obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns); this scarcity is more prevalent in rural pockets of the country, and particularly in the Midwest and South. This situation may worsen as medical school graduates gravitate toward metropolitan areas, a new study indicates." TO READ MORE,CLICK HERE. Women entering med school declining since peak enrollment in 2003 - According to American Medical Association (May2012), The Association of American Medical Colleges found the number and proportion of female applicants to U.S. medical schools has decreased from a high of 50.8% in 2003 to 47.3% in 2011. TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for April 30 - May 3 2012

In the News

Health care law helps community health centers build, renovate facilities, serve more patients - According to US Department of Health and Human Services, (01May2012), "Grants from the Affordable Care Act will help build and expand health centers, create jobs, and expand access to an additional 860,000 patients." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Fed push: Recruit, retain rural doctors - According to Timesreporter.com, (01May2012), "A major concern among federal officials is recruiting and retaining primary-care physicians in rural areas." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for April 18 - April 25 2012

In the News

Pharmacists included in loan repayment program - According to the American Pharmacy Assoication, (24April2012), "Pharmacists are now included in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), which gives grants to states to operate their own loan repayment programs for primary care providers in medically underserved areas." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Four-Year Degree Becoming A Must for Nursing Candidates- According to the Ledger.com, (22April2012), "Employers and nursing schools are working to meet a recommendation by the Institute of Medicine, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, that 80 percent of registered nurses have bachelor's degrees by 2020." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Nursing School Enrollment Up; Faculty and Facility Constraints Persist - According to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, (19April2012), "Nursing schools were forced to turn away more than 75,000 qualified applications, primarily because they lacked the teaching faculty and facilities." TO READ MORE,CLICK HERE.

News for April 10th -17th 2012

In the News

Health Care Jobs Will Grow Twice as Fast as General Economy, Study Says - According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, (17April2012), "By 2020, nearly one in nine jobs in the United States will be in the health care sector, according to new research from the Center for Health Workforce Studies. The largest job growth is expected among RNs, home health aides, and personal care aides." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. US Department of Labor launches Virtual Career Network to highlight job opportunities and training in health care - According to the US Department of Labor news release, (16April2012), "The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a new online tool that will allow current and prospective health care workers to explore more than 80 different occupations, identify local education and training programs, and tap into current job listings." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Healthcare Jobs Activity Surging on Social Media - According to Health Leaders Media, (13April2012), "A recent survey, finds that people employed in healthcare have increased their use of social media to look for jobs, apply for new positions and network with colleagues." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for April 3rd -11th 2012

In the News

Bamberg hospital to close April 30 - According to the Times and Democrat, (10April2012), "Bamberg Hospital will be closing, plans are on tap for an urgent care clinic, along with other services, to be operated by Barnwell County Hospital at the current Bamberg County Hospital located in Bamberg." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Doctors turning to assistants for primary care - According to the ctpost.com (10Arpil2012), "As the physician shortage worsens, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are increasingly asked to step in." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Health Care Hiring Boom Projected To Continue, Regardless Of Law - According to Kaiser Health News, (06April2012), "Health-care employment will continue to grow much faster than employment generally, with the number of jobs in home care and other ambulatory settings projected to jump more than 40 percent by 2020." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for March 29 to April 3 2012

In the News

Strong Demand - Technology is playing an increasing role in nursing practice and education - According to Advance for Nurses, (02April2012), "The market for nurses with BSNs and those advancing their education are strong. Highly educated and diverse nurses with BSN, master's and doctorate nursing degrees with skill beyond traditional functional discipline prove to be in demand." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Student loan repayment program unlocks doors for FNP - According Nurse.com, (02April2012), "The National Health Service Corps. is offering fully trained family nurse practitioners and other primary care health professionals an initial, tax-free loan repayment award of up to $60,000 in exchange for two years of working in communities with a shortage of primary healthcare professionals." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. SC Jobless Rate Falls For Seventh Straight Month - According the Street, (30March2012), "Some of the biggest gains came in Health care and social assistance jobs that went up by 3,200." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for March 20 to March 29 2012

In the News

USC medical school student could work in Florence - According the State, (28March2012), "Officials from Francis Marion University, McLeod Regional Medical Center and the Carolinas Hospital System are pondering a plan that would bring third- and fourth-year medical students from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine to study in Florence beginning in 2014." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. ‘Medical home’ care takes off - According the State, (25March2012), "BlueCross is planning a medical home project in the Midlands that will involve eight of Palmetto Health’s physician practices. An estimated 3,000 patients at those practices with diabetes, congestive heart failure and/or high blood pressure will get the special attention referred to as a patient-centered medical home." TO READ MORE,CLICK HERE. FMU helps healthcare shortage, offers new nursing programs - According to WMBF News, (21March2012), "Francis Marion University plans to offer new science degrees in nursing and pharmaceutical studies to bring more practitioners to the rural areas of the Pee Dee." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

In the News

Nursing: Where the Jobs Are - According the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, (20March2012), "The latest BLS report showed for RNs the highest earnings and employment rates were: hospitals 57.3%, home health care nursing care facilities, or outpatient care 14%, physician offices are at 8.7% and the remaining jobs are divided among a variety of government and academic organizations. These high rates are also regional, although most nurses tend to stay close to home finding jobs within 40 miles of where they went to high school. AACN data shows that more than 500 baccalaureate nursing programs turned away 51,082 qualified applicants in 2011 due to a shortage of clinical placement sites, faculty, and funding." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Health Care Jobs Up: The Future is on the Frontline - According the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, (20March2012), "Employers need health care workers at every level of the industry, but improvements in training are needed to fuel the pipeline. Cuts to education have made it difficult to obtain the training needed to take advantage of new opportunities especially for frontline and allied health care workers. Some suggest that hospitals and other health care institutions can share part of the cost of training these workers. This idea has been difficult do the state of the economy, retired nurses coming back into the workforce and those who planned retirement staying on longer at a hospital." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Where the Jobs Are, the Training May Not Be - According to the NY Times, (01March2012), "Public colleges have raised tuition and are now resorting to even more desperate measures - cutting training for jobs the economy needs most. Nursing program applicants so outnumber available slots that there is a waiting list just to get on the waiting list. Other problems include classes getting bigger, tenured faculty members are replaced with adjuncts and technical courses are sacrificed." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for March 8th to March 13th 2012

In the News

New Richland 1 magnet aims to spark interest in health industry - According to the State, (13March2012), "C.A. Johnson High School is partnering with local hospitals, colleges and organizations to prepare Richland 1 students for careers in health science, health administration, food science and dietetics, biomedical research, and sports and fitness management." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Medical Schools For Primary Care: U.S. News Releases Top 10 Ranking - According to the HUFF POST Healthy Living, (13March2012), "Job prospects in healthcare are among the brightest anywhere, especially primary care. There are openings at every level, from home health aide and medical technician to highly specialized physician. But primary care practitioners are particularly hot." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. Healthcare Job Growth Accelerating - According to the Health Leaders Media, (12March2012), "The healthcare sector has been strong in the first two months of 2012, accounting for one in five new jobs in the overall economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 49,000 jobs were created in February, including 28,200 jobs in ambulatory services, and 15,400 jobs in hospitals." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for March 1st through March 8th 2012

In the News

Charleston Southern University expands nursing program - According to the Charleston Regional Business Journal, (08March2012), "Charleston Southern University is tripling enrollments to its nursing school, the university announced Wednesday. The University will expand enrollment to 120 by 2014. The last expansion came in 2007, when the university boosted its school from 30 to 40 students." TO READ MORE,CLICK HERE. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Announces New Program to Help Primary Care Practices Use Their Workforce More Effectively - According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, (07March2012), "The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is teaming with the Group Health Research Institute on a national program designed to identify creative practices that make primary care more efficient and effective. The Primary Care Team: Learning from Effective Ambulatory Practices (the LEAP Project) will identify primary care practices that use health professionals and other staff in ways that maximize access to their services, so these workforce models can be replicated and adopted more widely." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE. FMU to establish new degree programs - According to SCNow.com, (02March2012), Francis Marion University's Board of Directors approved resolutions to establish a master of science in nursing/nurse educator degree program and one a bachelor of science in pharmaceutical studies degree program." TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE.

News for February 19-25 2012

In the News

Grant gives kids a doctor at school - According to ABC News 4 Charleston, (25February2012), "Charleston County school district received a grant that will set up pediatric health clinics at four local elementary schools. The new health clinics will serve about 1,700 students." TO READ MORE,CLICK HERE.

News February 23, 2012

In the News

Novant creating 150 jobs in Fort Mill - According to The HeraldOnline.com, (23February2012), "Novant Health is looking to hire 150 people with clinical and computer experience by the end of March as it creates a seamless electronic record linking system hospitals to its physician offices, labs, billing offices and patients." TO READ MORE,CLICK HERE.