Back to resources
5 Major Problems Facing American Healthcare That Premedical Students Should Understand
Articles
October 5, 2024
Becoming a doctor is about more than understanding organic chemistry or being able to develop good rapport with patients. As a future doctor, you’re preparing to enter a vast, complex healthcare system that serves millions of people every day. You’ll also need to understand the major problems with this system to effectively care for patients.
Awareness of these issues will help prepare you to contribute meaningfully to healthcare reform. This article covers five major problems facing American healthcare that every premedical student should know about.
High Costs and Lack of Affordability
Perhaps the single most significant problem in American healthcare is its cost. According to a 2024 Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) analysis, the United States spends almost twice the amount that other wealthy countries do on a per-capita basis. However, this high spending does not translate into better outcomes. A 2023 Commonwealth Fund report concluded that American “has the lowest life expectancy at birth, the highest death rates for avoidable or treatable conditions, the highest maternal and infant mortality, and among the highest suicide rates.”
High costs impact everything from prescription drugs to hospital stays and routine check-ups. Many Americans are underinsured or lack insurance altogether, forcing them to forgo necessary medical care. A 2024 KFF report on the financial burden of healthcare concluded that patients in the US collectively owe $220 billion in medical debt, and that people with medical debt are more likely to experience financial vulnerability. Understanding the economic structure of healthcare and advocating for cost-effective care solutions will be crucial for future healthcare professionals like you.
Health Disparities and Inequities
We’ve addressed health disparities in detail before, but they are worth mentioning again, because they represent a severe threat to the overall health of the nation. Health disparities are differences in health outcomes which stem from factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, and education. For example, racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. often experience higher rates of chronic diseases, lower life expectancy, and reduced access to preventive services.
A 2023 National Institutes of Health analysis found that health disparities by race and ethnicity alone cost the US $451 billion in 2018, the most recent statistical year available. Consulting firm Deloitte projects that the cost of health disparities could top $1 trillion by 2040 if left unaddressed.
Solving these inequities begins with physicians who understand the impact of social determinants of health, and who develop the cultural competency necessary to advocate for policies that promote health equity through systemic change.
Care Fragmentation and Coordination
Think about a time when you or a family member had to cope with a serious medical issue. Did one physician handle most of your care, or were you constantly visiting different practitioners and having to explain your situation to each one? This type of experience is common in America and reflects the high fragmentation of our health system.
A 2024 study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, for example, found that 35% of Medicare patients had seen more than five physicians in 2019. When care is heavily fragmented, practitioners seeing the same patient may not effectively communicate with each other. This can result in duplicated tests, conflicting treatments, or medication errors. This lack of coordination can be especially dangerous for patients with chronic conditions who require continuous care management.
Healthcare reform efforts are increasingly focusing on integrating care through models like the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to improve communication and patient outcomes. Future doctors like you must be alert for fragmentation issues with their own patients.
Burnout Among Healthcare Providers
Physician burnout is an escalating problem that affects the quality of care provided to patients. Burnout is a long-term stress response characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. While burnout shows up in individuals, it is caused by systemic problems, such as excessive workloads, administrative burdens, lack of work-life balance, and a challenging work environment.
In 2022, the American Medical Association reported that 51% of physicians who responded to a survey had reported experiencing burnout. In addition to affecting the well-being of healthcare providers, burnout also impacts patient safety and quality of care. As a premed student, you’ll need to start practicing self-care. You can also advocate for more supportive work environments that reduce burnout.
Inadequate Mental Health Care
Mental health is often separated from physical health care, even though the two are deeply interconnected. According to the US Health Resources and Services Administration, 123 million Americans currently live in a mental health care professional shortage area – that’s more one-third of the country. In addition to a shortage of mental health professionals, financial barriers, lack of coverage, and geographical limitations contribute to gaps in care.
As a future physician, it’s important for you to understand the importance of integrating mental health into primary care and the need for comprehensive policies and practices that address the full spectrum of health.
Be Inspired, Be Part of the Solution
The problems facing American healthcare are multifaceted and require comprehensive approaches to solve. As you prepare for a career in medicine, you’ll need to understand these challenges – but you don’t need to feel overwhelmed by them. By being informed about the problems in the system, you can do your part to help contribute to solutions. Through informed practice, you can contribute to a more equitable, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system.
Becoming a doctor is about more than understanding organic chemistry or being able to develop good rapport with patients. As a future doctor, you’re preparing to enter a vast, complex healthcare system that serves millions of people every day. You’ll also need to understand the major problems with this system to effectively care for patients.
Awareness of these issues will help prepare you to contribute meaningfully to healthcare reform. This article covers five major problems facing American healthcare that every premedical student should know about.
High Costs and Lack of Affordability
Perhaps the single most significant problem in American healthcare is its cost. According to a 2024 Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) analysis, the United States spends almost twice the amount that other wealthy countries do on a per-capita basis. However, this high spending does not translate into better outcomes. A 2023 Commonwealth Fund report concluded that American “has the lowest life expectancy at birth, the highest death rates for avoidable or treatable conditions, the highest maternal and infant mortality, and among the highest suicide rates.”
High costs impact everything from prescription drugs to hospital stays and routine check-ups. Many Americans are underinsured or lack insurance altogether, forcing them to forgo necessary medical care. A 2024 KFF report on the financial burden of healthcare concluded that patients in the US collectively owe $220 billion in medical debt, and that people with medical debt are more likely to experience financial vulnerability. Understanding the economic structure of healthcare and advocating for cost-effective care solutions will be crucial for future healthcare professionals like you.
Health Disparities and Inequities
We’ve addressed health disparities in detail before, but they are worth mentioning again, because they represent a severe threat to the overall health of the nation. Health disparities are differences in health outcomes which stem from factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, and education. For example, racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. often experience higher rates of chronic diseases, lower life expectancy, and reduced access to preventive services.
A 2023 National Institutes of Health analysis found that health disparities by race and ethnicity alone cost the US $451 billion in 2018, the most recent statistical year available. Consulting firm Deloitte projects that the cost of health disparities could top $1 trillion by 2040 if left unaddressed.
Solving these inequities begins with physicians who understand the impact of social determinants of health, and who develop the cultural competency necessary to advocate for policies that promote health equity through systemic change.
Care Fragmentation and Coordination
Think about a time when you or a family member had to cope with a serious medical issue. Did one physician handle most of your care, or were you constantly visiting different practitioners and having to explain your situation to each one? This type of experience is common in America and reflects the high fragmentation of our health system.
A 2024 study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, for example, found that 35% of Medicare patients had seen more than five physicians in 2019. When care is heavily fragmented, practitioners seeing the same patient may not effectively communicate with each other. This can result in duplicated tests, conflicting treatments, or medication errors. This lack of coordination can be especially dangerous for patients with chronic conditions who require continuous care management.
Healthcare reform efforts are increasingly focusing on integrating care through models like the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to improve communication and patient outcomes. Future doctors like you must be alert for fragmentation issues with their own patients.
Burnout Among Healthcare Providers
Physician burnout is an escalating problem that affects the quality of care provided to patients. Burnout is a long-term stress response characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. While burnout shows up in individuals, it is caused by systemic problems, such as excessive workloads, administrative burdens, lack of work-life balance, and a challenging work environment.
In 2022, the American Medical Association reported that 51% of physicians who responded to a survey had reported experiencing burnout. In addition to affecting the well-being of healthcare providers, burnout also impacts patient safety and quality of care. As a premed student, you’ll need to start practicing self-care. You can also advocate for more supportive work environments that reduce burnout.
Inadequate Mental Health Care
Mental health is often separated from physical health care, even though the two are deeply interconnected. According to the US Health Resources and Services Administration, 123 million Americans currently live in a mental health care professional shortage area – that’s more one-third of the country. In addition to a shortage of mental health professionals, financial barriers, lack of coverage, and geographical limitations contribute to gaps in care.
As a future physician, it’s important for you to understand the importance of integrating mental health into primary care and the need for comprehensive policies and practices that address the full spectrum of health.
Be Inspired, Be Part of the Solution
The problems facing American healthcare are multifaceted and require comprehensive approaches to solve. As you prepare for a career in medicine, you’ll need to understand these challenges – but you don’t need to feel overwhelmed by them. By being informed about the problems in the system, you can do your part to help contribute to solutions. Through informed practice, you can contribute to a more equitable, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system.