Medical Issues 4/14/23

Moving towards the last month of school, I have been very preoccupied with academics lately. A few days ago, I hurt my ankle pretty badly playing basketball and have been recovering since. When we were looking for places to go for urgent care, most waits were 3-4 hours long. This had me thinking, what is the reason for a shortage of doctors in a place where they are needed?

 I started to do research, and found out, “In California, only about half, or 49.09%, of the state’s primary care needs were met in 2022” (Kaiser Family Foundation). Ever since the pandemic, the need for doctors has grown and the amount of doctor’s has lessened. This is a problem because if people need help and can’t get it, what happens? They suffer? This was in urgent care so maybe it’s different in the ER but I do think that there should never be a shortage in doctors anywhere. 

Today, I went to acupuncture to help reduce swelling on my ankle and I was wondering, how do these little needles help? According to John Hopkins Medicine, “Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system.” Acupuncture dates back to ancient times in China and were used to relieve pain and stress. As of right now I don’t feel any changes in my ankle but good things take time so hopefully, I will feel better soon.

Maybe I will want to pursue a job in the field of medicine, who knows. I just hope that in the future, this lack of shortages in doctors won’t affect the help people need to get.

-Iverson

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/cant-get-in-to-see-the-doctor-why-theres-a-physician-shortage-and-whats-being-done-about-it#:~:text=Bravo%20says%20the%20COVID%2D19,is%20nearing%20the%20retirement%20age.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture#:~:text=Acupuncture%20points%20are%20believed%20to,physical%20and%20emotional%20well%2Dbeing.