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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0399.001 2022-2024 Os'''' HEATHER L. KIMBALL �:•'�� Phone: (808)961-8828 '�'�'�' (808)961-8912 +COUNCIL CHAIR .' .� � ,�`�'', Council District 1 (North Hilo, • • z s '' ` Email:heather.kimball(a»hmvaiicountugov Hamakua, and portion of Waimea) '•.e- Of b4 HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL COUNTY OF HAWAI`I 25 Aupuni Street, Ste. 1402, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 . .. c— G7 iV DATE: August 22,2023 - , TO: Hawaii County Council Members w us FROM: Heather Kimball, Council Chair Council District 1, County of Hawai`i SUBJECT: Presentation Material for September 5,2023 Discussion Addressing Current Physician Shortage in County and State of Hawaii. Attached please find presentation material provided to my office from John Uohara, M.D., relative to his discussion before the Committee on Communications, Reports and Council Oversight on September 5, 2023, on the extreme shortage of physicians in the County and State of Hawai`i,the current medical training process, and possible initiatives and/or solutions in addressing this critical issue impacting our island residents. Should you have any questions regarding this transmission, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you. Comm. No.pp�� -`' Ref. To: CIDOCJ Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref.Date AUG 2 2 2023 CRISIS on the Island of Hawaii • - - � } . 4 , , . -,-_ .. - -..--,— .... —-__ , le. __, _ _., • a • 4+ql �, � .. _tea I ! "' . ;. --,-.„'„ • 4..:.:„e0,,,, ,:i.,..1,.... .: 1: i. , - Nit , - -, _ \ • i4 , +." VV. a ilk _ 4. "° i! N £j PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE ON ISLAND OF HAWAII PA1J1J113C . .: DOCT�DI�S WHO IS THIS GUY???? 1 ' • • ° e JOHN K UOHARA MD, FACOG Hilo High School (1966) University of Hawaii, Manoa JABSOM (1975) • Lettered in Cross-Country and Track and Field • Medical Doctor • President of the HHS Letterman's Club • First medical student to publish in a peer • Told by my guidance counselor that I would reviewed journal in OB/GYN never become a doctor - University of Hawaii, Manoa JABSO ' Lewis and Clark College (1970) 1979) • Bachelor of Science, Psychology • Residency in OB/GYN • Worked 30 hours/week as a student manager in food and beverage American Board of OB/GYN (1981) University of Hawaii, Manoa, JABSOM (1972) Fellow, American College of '6 O Master of Science, Genetic Counseling e First medical student to obtain a master degree , � while attending medical school JOHN K UOHARA MD, FACOG Private Practice (1979-2018) Boards:• BISAC • First Maternal Transport from Hilo Medical • East Hawaii Regional Board (Hilo, Hamakua, Center to Kapiolani Women's and Children's Kau) Medical Center • Hawaii Society of OB/GYN, President (2018- • Delivered three generations and thousands of current) babies at HMC • Hui Kahu Malama • Team Physician UH-Hilo Women's Volleyball • Maikaii Health (1979-2018) • UH Hilo Athletics Hall of Fame Chair, Department of OB/GYN, Hilo Medica � . f terms) Donated practice to University Health i rs' 0'18) /PP ` JAB SOM Assistant Professor of OB/GYN • Chairman, Hilo Division (2018-w2020 PERSONAL Single dad to two sons. Both were born and educated in Hilo public schools Lived in Hilo for more than 60 years For the last 12 years lived in Pepeekeo with wife Shari Raise sheep and dogs Fun Fact: Formally trained and certified canine handler for narcotics detention oddbO WHY AM I DOING WHAT IS THE "SHORTAGE" 10,592 Physicians licensed in Hawaii • 3,293 currently providing care • 2,857 FTE in direct patient care Model indicted Hawaii needs 3395 FTE • Shortage of 537 FTE (real number projected at 700) Average age 54.6 (US:51) ® 48% of workforce over 55 ® 22% of workforce over 65 Estimated Statewide need 732 Estimated Hawaii County need 187 WHAT CAUSED THE SHORTAGE? • COVID-19 • Difficulties in recruitmen • High Medical School debts (JABSOM $167,000 • Higher reimbursement for services elsewher • Aging physician workforce • Increasing population; increasing aging population • Shortage of physicians has caused a delay in care which results in more chronic illness or complications This circular problems results in less physician time for less acute probl- s and preventatf IMPACT OF THE PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE • Longer wait times. Impacts to labor force • Delay in early care results in the need for more specialty and intensive care • Strain on emergency services, EMS, urgent care and emergency room visits • Many residents use urgent care as the primary care • Little preventative care done at urgent care or emergency department • 2019 study reveal that because of the shortage and delay in care a 20% increase in patients seeking nonurgent care THE MAKING OF A DOCTOR IN THE STATE OF HAWAII Applying to Medical School Board Examinations • STEP 1 after 2 years • Requires a minimum of a 4 year degree • STEP 2 after 4 years • Many are opting for a "glide" year (or 2) • STEP 3 after 1 year post graduation prior to application • Research and/or real life experience • MCAT • Average overall acceptance rate 10% Post Graduate Education (1-10 years) Medical School • In Hawaii Post Graduate Education is to .c-, ,•, o 4 years // Hawaii Residency Program. It is a c 2 years mainly classroom and laboratory e 2 years mainly clinical and research 501(c)3. Hospitals contribute to:r'` • HRP hires all residents SOLUTIONS • Having more local residents attend JABSOM • Create more opportunities for resident physicians to rotate and experience what Hawaii County has to offer • Support non-profits who are actively engaged in trying to bring awareness and opportunity to the Big Island • Create scholarships for incoming medical students _ • Satellite medical school campus (Kauai) CONCLUSION • The State of Hawaii and Hawaii County suffer from a shortage of physicians • Physician shortage is projected to get worse • Physicians provide the backbone of the medical system • Health of Hawaii County is at stake • Growth of our County will be severely restricted if we cannot provide adequate health care for our AI ens l.\' v\r1'Y: do, 'me thing(no ;inli and LAPecuilt-'s tliffkrcntNow re'uIi,. n ti oing nothing is N o