{"id":"9c5ca5c0-4313-42a5-b709-a28fb8870911","slug":"medical-care-losing-doctors-and-nurses","title":"Medical care losing doctors and nurses","authors":["Ramsis F. Ghaly"],"abstract":"Background: The healthcare system is facing a significant workforce shortage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many healthcare providers leaving due to burnout and bureaucratic challenges. A solo spinal surgeon reflects on the difficulties faced by patients in accessing timely care due to insurance-related barriers. Summary: In a recent encounter, a patient expressed frustration over his inability to receive appropriate spinal care due to insurance limitations and a lack of available specialists within his network. Additionally, a retired critical care neuro nurse shared her reasons for leaving the profession, citing overwhelming bureaucracy as a major factor. The letter highlights the disconnect between patient needs and the current healthcare system, which is increasingly controlled by corporate interests. Conclusion: The author emphasizes that many healthcare providers wish to continue offering quality care but feel constrained by the bureaucratic healthcare system. This situation has led to a troubling trend of under-treatment and dissatisfaction among both patients and providers. Keywords: healthcare workforce, insurance bureaucracy, patient care, burnout, spinal surgery, neurosurgery, COVID-19 impact, healthcare providers","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/placeholders/specialty/socio-economics-politics-and-medicine.png","publishDate":"2023-09-22T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_725_2023","categories":["Socio-Economics, Politics, and Medicine","Letter to the Editor"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/9c5ca5c0-4313-42a5-b709-a28fb8870911/pdf"}