Stan - I do not disagree with you when you say we have a physician shortage

until recently I know a large number of doctors that have given up the practice either because they have malpractice insurance premiums that exceed their annual income (an insurance and lawyer problem) or they need to over-prescribe tests and procedures to cover their asses from insurance companies and lawyers.

I'm trying to find out when it was written that doctors cannot make mistakes without having their careers and families destroyed by lawyers

I have seen the use of PA's go through the roof.
I don't like it. When I want to see a Doctor I want to see a Doctor not a glorified nurse.
I also screen ALL the Doctors I'm contemplating seeing.
Absolutely NO DEI. If I even suspect it I will look for some other Doctor.

I don't know why President Trump is so up on Doctor Oz. I don't like him and more important I don't trust him.

The decline in medical care has accelerated ever since Obama Care was rolled out.

As far as Telehealth is concerned: as a practicing physician, I hated it, at least for the first visit. For follow-up visits with a stable patient, it's fine. But it's terribly difficult to establish a personal relationship by video much less phone visit.
^^^^^^^
Part of the problem is that it only works half of time. Dropped connections, no audio or video is the norm. Secondly physicians need training in how to connect with patients. We all know MDs. who lack social skills. Not everybody can be a TV star. Drew Pinsky is pretty good at this as well as the annoying Dr.Phil.

After having multiple instances where a "specialist" has told me to do what I've already done, they aren't far off.