Effects of the Current Healthcare Crisis on Allied Medical Education

Many allied medical professions such as the medical assistant are seeing a rise in growth as a result of the current healthcare crisis in the United States. As major medical insurance companies try to cut their costs an increasing number of procedures once performed by physician, nurses and other higher trained healthcare professionals are now being done by less costly allied health professionals. This would include the medical assistant, medical technologists and related positions. Of course this shift in patient care has created a greater need for trained allied care professionals. In the past most of these allied professionals were trained on the job by physicians, nurses and other medical staff members. However now more of these allied health care aids are now receiving additional training via internet based distance education programs or traditional training programs.

The current acceptance into medical, nursing, and other schools in the health care field is often very competitive. For example, there are probably 10-20 qualified applicants for every vacancy in medical school. Most nursing schools have 2-3 year waiting periods (despite an alleged chronic shortage of nurses). Many highly motivated and talented people wind up going into other fields. Often are career in a basic allied healthcare profession such as a medical assistant is an excellent fit for these students.

The term 'allied health' is used to identify a cluster of health professions and covers many occupational titles, exclusive of physicians, nurses, and a handful of others." Allied Healthcare jobs may include medical assistants, cardiovascular technologists and technicians, dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, opticians, radiologic technologists and many other related positions.

With an increased number of physicians and nurses, competition will increase, and salaries will certainly go down (law of supply and demand). However allied health care salaries are most likely to increase over the next few years. In fact, the quality will probably actually increase, since the motivation to become a physician or nurse will be an interest in the field, and desire to help others, rather than just a way to get a high-paying job and for those interested in other healthcare fields it is a good idea to investigate the availability of jobs before you decide to enter any field. You will be investing a considerable amount of time and money in anticipation of getting a good position upon completion of your training.

Currently the St. Augustine Medical Assistant School is providing an innovative distance education experience for students who wish to learn healthcare basics via virtual online teach techniques. Additional information about these programs can be found on their website at http://www.medassistant.org

Formal training in medical assisting and many other related positions, while generally preferred, is not always required. Some medical assistants and allied professionals are trained on the job, although this practice is less common than in the past. Applicants usually need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Recommended high school courses include mathematics, health, biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers, and office skills. Volunteer experience in the health care field also is helpful

Since allied professionals deal with the public they must be neat and well groomed and have a courteous, pleasant manner. They must also be able to put patients at ease and explain physicians' instructions. They must respect the confidential nature of medical information. In conclusion, as a result in the shifting healthcare provider delivery system now dictated by most major US medical insurance companies and with the increase need for care by an aging American population , these newer allied heath professions and medical assistant related jobs will no doubt continue to grow over the up coming years.

Dr. Mark Stout
Dean of Distance Education
St. Augustine Medical Assistant School
http://www.medassistant.org

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