3.6 Million New Jobs Predicted in Healthcare |
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February 23, 2007
by AJ Fanter
Healthcare Programs Columnist
In case you missed it, the baby boomer generation is nearing retirement, and the healthcare industry is getting hit with a double whammy. More and more of the U.S. population is aging and in need of healthcare--but doctors and nurses are baby boomers too. They're retiring in droves, leaving a huge employment gap in the medical field.
And that means that the demand for qualified healthcare providers, particularly home-based ones, is growing. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that America's highest number of new jobs--some 3.6 million--will be in the healthcare industry. Maybe that's why some home healthcare providers are turning to technology to help them better care for their patients.
What Exactly is Home Healthcare?
According to the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, home healthcare is defined as healthcare given to individuals in their homes to "promote, maintain or restore health or to minimize the effects of disability and illness, including terminal illness." In other words, it includes visits by any number of health care professionals, including nurses, doctors, social workers, therapists and home health aides.
Home Healthcare and the Virtual Check-Up?
Because home healthcare professionals are in such demand, "virtual" check-ups are the latest medical trend. Using an Internet connection, nurses can check a patient's blood pressure, weight, breathing, and other essential stats via equipment that is connected to a patient's computer. This gives home healthcare agencies the ability to keep in better contact with patients. However, as helpful as these "cyber check-ups" are, they don't replace the traditional in-home visit. Rather, this "tele-healthcare" is another tool for patients and for those entering this rapidly growing career field.
If you care for people and have a desire to help them feel well, maybe it's time to consider getting a degree in the home healthcare field.
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About the Author
AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.
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