NEW DPMA PHYSICIAN POLL SHOWS OBAMACARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASING PESSIMISM ABOUT MEDICINE: "I would not advise children or grandchildren to go into medicine"

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2011  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Physicians are increasingly pessimistic about the future of medicine since passage of Obamacare, and are now reluctant to advise their own children to go into medicine. 

Those are just two of the alarming findings in the new poll of physicians conducted by the Doctor Patient Medical Association (DPMA). The report called "Discouraged Doctors," is posted on the DPMA web site.

"We expected some frustration, but the numbers are stunning," said Kathryn Serkes, DPMA President. "Doctors are clear that they are reluctant to accept many aspects of the PPACA."

One of most telling results is that less than 20% of doctors polled would advise their own kids to go to medical school. "It's a screaming red-flag when the people on the frontlines don't want their own families going into medicine," said Serkes.

Physicians believe the Act will reduce the quality of care (78.7%), and say it is the single factor that has made them more pessimistic about the future of medicine (74.8%). 

Ohio's Ballot Issue 3 Healthcare Freedom Amendment has overwhelming support from Ohio doctors (78.3%), as voters head to the polls. More than 85% say they oppose any individual insurance mandate.

Responses also show that the Act's huge expansion of Medicaid is likely to backfire, as a majority (54.2%) say they are likely to stop accepting government-care patients.

"A piece of paper saying you are 'enrolled' doesn't get you a dime's worth of medical care if there are no doctors around who will treat you," said Serkes. 

Add to that the 60% who say they are now considering retiring or quitting active care, and the picture worsens.

"Passage of the PPACA seems to have triggered a slow-motion medical disaster as doctors begin bailing out," said Serkes.  The anti-government involvement is so strong that 45.5% say they would rather treat Medicaid patients for free.

"These numbers do not bode well for the PPACA, but they are encouraging for patients," said Serkes. "They show that doctors are clearly lined up on the side of the patients in favor of autonomy, freedom and quality individual care.  They aren't ready to accept cookie-cutter medicine yet."

NOTE: Read the report on all 23 questions at www.DoctorsandPatients.org.

Contact:
Kelly Benedetti
(202) 744-8807
[email protected]

SOURCE Doctor Patient Medical Association