Dr. Martha McGrew said New Mexico's healthcare system is in need of help during a forum in Mesa Vista Hall Thursday.
McGrew, an associate professor of family and community medicine, spoke to an audience of about 20 people during her presentation "Healthcare in New Mexico: Barriers and Solutions." She said that New Mexico is the fifth largest state geographically which causes many of the shortfalls in the healthcare system.
New Mexico ranks 36th in the nation in population, according to a survey from the New Mexico Medical Society. Of New Mexico's 33 counties, 27 are considered Health Provider Shortage Areas, she said.
"These areas are very limited in the medical personnel that is available to the residents," McGrew said. "What we are trying to determine is how to get more physicians to stay in the rural areas of New Mexico."
She said New Mexico encompasses three major aspects that worry health specialists. These aspects are easily avoidable, she said, but without the proper medical personnel provided, she can see why this happens.
"The first aspect is that New Mexico has one of the highest percentages of uninsured people at 23 percent," McGrew said. "The next aspect is that the number of motor vehicle accidents is third highest in the nation. And the last aspect is the number of babies born to single and teen mothers. It's that an astounding 52 percent of the mothers have no prenatal care."
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McGrew was quick to point out that physicians around the state need help getting more personnel to accompany them in the offices.
Most doctors complain about long hours, not being able to take time off, professional isolation and not making enough money to bring in private physicians for help, according to the medical society survey.
"New Mexico is really underserved," McGrew said. "Not only underserved, but mal-distributed."
McGrew added that UNM's School of Medicine is trying to help the shortcomings within the medical industry. She said the average medical student's loan for school hovers at $69,000, whereas, the national average stands at $90,000.
McGrew said UNM provides medical students with opportunities to repay their loans back by working in rural areas of the state.
"A medical student at UNM can get out of med school and repay their loan in less time if they decide to work in a rural area," she said. "Some areas require the student to spend three to four years in the area. The School of Medicine is really involved with getting out in the community and helping out."
By getting out in the community, many medical school residents are able to develop specific programs to add to those in need. Four projects are gaining some recognition at UNM's School of Medicine - the Milagro, Doula/Interpreter, Single Payor and Tar Wars. The Milagro program is designed to assist women who are pregnant and have or had drug problems.
"But the Doula program is catching on," McGrew said. "What the Doula program provides is an assistant during childbirth. It really is a help in the delivery room."
UNM's School of Medicine began in1962 with $30,000 from the state Legislature. U.S. News and World Report has recognized the school during the last five years.
"The magazine ranked it as the third in primary care medicine and second in rural medicine," McGrew said.
She said that this year's class is 65 percent female and 35 percent male. McGrew added that females are making strides again in the medical force.
Before concluding, McGrew said that in her career and 12 years at UNM she has seen one dominant problem.
"People who make less money are required to pay more for insurance," she said. "That's where the shortfall comes in. It's just not right."
