What’s up, doc?

Like much of the rest of the country, health-care outfits around here are short on medical folks. That’s according to a report by Heartland Forward, which studied the issue in six states, including Arkansas.

The study focused on Drew and Sevier counties in southern Arkansas; more populated areas in the northwest part of the state are feeling the pinch, too. The growing population results in a growing gap in the doctor-to-patient ratio, according to the paper.

“While we have an adequate supply of physicians in some specialties, others are in short supply,” said Larry Shackleford, Washington Regional Medical System president and CEO. “In primary care, the number of internal medicine physicians per 10,000 residents is 47 percent lower than national medians and the number of obstetrics and gynecologists per 10,000 residents is 25 percent below national average.”

The good news—for what it’s worth—is that the problem has been identified and is being addressed.

Carol Silva Moralez runs Upskill NWA and works every day to move people in the direction of a career in the medical workplace. Upskill works to help nontraditional students receive training and accreditation to be medical professionals, and part of that program pays for “wraparound” services like transportation and child care to support participants.

Other organizations like Heartland Whole Health Institute, created by Alice Walton, focuses on similar things.

“There is an opportunity for health improvements across our region,” said Walter Harris, president and CEO of the institute. “Arkansas is among the worst for health outcomes, and much of the state is underserved when it comes to health care.”

The institute and its sister organization, the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, which is pending accreditation, plan to work together to “increase the number of health-care providers in the region, improve health outcomes, reduce health-care costs, and advance how medical education is taught and health care is delivered,” Mr. Harris said.

“We believe northwest Arkansas will be a model for health-care transformation, and that will attract more talented health professionals to the region.”

In central Arkansas, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is working with high schools in the region. Outreach is being conducted with Benton County high school juniors and seniors to inform them about what they might expect from medical school and the institution’s four-year medical doctor program, not to mention what a doctor’s life may be.

Mr. Shackleford explains that about 80 percent of residents who train in Arkansas end up practicing medicine here, and that by increasing opportunities in the region, the ability to grow the medical workforce is more likely.

All of it is good for the medical community in Arkansas and for patients. Which we all are, eventually.