The Delta Companies (TDC), a top staffing firm for health care professionals throughout the U.S., recently emphasized the growing need for critical care physicians.
Thanks to medical advances and a recent nationwide focus on wellness and health, the U.S. population has increased its lifespan. As the aging population continues to live longer, there is more need for critical care medicine as well as specialized doctors who can treat patients.
Because of how U.S. health care systems have changed -- particularly with reimbursements and coverages in hospitals -- hospitals need more critical care physicians to fill roles that once belonged to internists or hospitalists. More people are receiving insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), leading to more patients and higher demand for doctors. Between 2000 and 2010, critical care bed numbers rose by 17.8 percent.
In addition, hospital and physician reimbursements are now based on results and not just services. This means that hospitals must determine which professional will give patients the best results, so that hospitals can receive payments.
In addition, rehabilitation hospitals and acute care hospitals are growing more popular. Experts see this as evidence of a rising need for specialized units and hospitals that can offer treatments to chronically ill patients.
