Letters: Treat doctors like valued pros, or burnout will be rampant

Regarding the article “When physicians burn out, solutions are elusive," as long as physicians are seen purely as the economic engines of healthcare, as “producers,” where value and worth is equated purely to production and productivity, burnout will be rampant. The concept of patient-centered healthcare, not physician-centered, has further alienated physicians by saying to them they were not even capable of setting appropriate priorities for their profession. Treating physicians like valued professionals means realigning compensation with contribution, realizing everyone doesn't want to see 26 patients a day, and creating physician jobs that value different approaches to day-to-day practice. Hospital COOs don't fit a single mold. Executives aren't scheduled without their consent. Why should physicians be treated differently?

Robert Priddy

Third Evolution

Regarding the recent cover story “Mental health rises to top of agenda, but has a tough course ahead,” an easy and relatively painless way to add mental healthcare workers to the pool is to begin Medicare reimbursement for professional counselors. Right now Medicare reimburses for mental health services rendered by psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatric nurses but does not recognize clinical counselors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently 128,000 clinical counselors in the labor pool. That is 128,000 professionals who are hindered from providing mental health services to the elderly or disabled with Medicare plans due to lack of reimbursement.

Cristi Zavarella

Licensed professional clinical counselor

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Regarding the recent Vital Signs post “Despite doom and gloom, experts see solutions to ACA exchange woes,” so in addition to throwing more money at the problem in general, forcing those younger, healthier people with far less financial resources to purchase a product they are unlikely to use—that's the answer? It really is hard to redistribute money that isn't there in the first place.

Donald Tapella

Medical Recovery Services

Blue Springs, Mo.