Physicians
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Physicians are those medical professionals who have direct contact with patients and have the power to use this relationship not only to their advantage, but also to the patients’ advantage. It is through the relationship of patient and physician that a certain level of trust is attained. With this trust comes the expectation of a physician to provide adequate and reasonably affordable care. Health care involves expensive treatments which can easily cause a financial burden on a family, even if they do have health insurance. It is this issue of expense that is the most troublesome aspect of the healthcare system.
In order to become a physician, as most people know, a great deal of dedication and drive is needed. The ability to undergo four years of undergraduate, four years of medical school, and three plus years of residency takes enthusiasm, perseverance, and commitment. The financial incentives to becoming a physician are normally not strong enough to pull an individual through this amount of work. A premed student must possess compassion and a willingness to help others. Through these traits an extraordinary physician can develop.
Due to the personality traits needed for most to make it in the medical field, physicians can use this desire to help those in need, by acting as somewhat of a bridge between health insurances and patients. Physicians control their own billing practices within a private practice, which allows them some flexibility when providing care. This flexibility can include serving the under and uninsured in their area, which can be completed in a variety of ways. It is through these practices that strides can be taken to help this issue of access to the underserved.