An article written in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights the contributions of physicians to the economy and to social needs. 

The article was written by Thomas Ricketts, the associate director of the Sheps Center for Health Services Research at UNC, who says Americans need to take a closer look at this issue in wake of the ongoing healthcare debates.

As the health care debates continue, there are a variety of elements that concern residents nationwide.  Such as if there are enough physicians currently being trained to meet future needs ore are there too many physicians, which could be the reason why costs have driven up. Ricketts says those are topics being discussed across the country.

His editorial focuses on how to keep count of physicians, and how many are actually practicing.  Ricketts adds that a good point of reference on how to do that is right here in Chapel Hill. 

Thomas Ricketts has a doctorate in Health Policy Administration from UNC and has worked at the Sheps Center for Health Services Research for the last 30 years.