AT THIS HOUR

141,160: The projected shortage of physicians by 2038, according to a new analysis by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Looking at 35 physician specialties, excluding psychiatry, only five are expected to see a surplus of workers. Vascular surgery is projected to have the highest shortage of physicians. A separate analysis of the behavioral health workforce also projects a shortage of psychiatrists, unsurprisingly, with supply meeting an estimated 50% of projected demand.

Science: Our understanding of how genes influence what we do and why we do it continues to evolve and the idea that it is influenced by just a few genes with big effects is, well, not even close to fact. The story here.

Sport: An analysis on the science behind sportsmanship - or is unsportsmanship? Go here.

Policy: Several health insurers are now reducing not just what they pay psychologists and therapists for an hour of therapy but also what they pay for virtual sessions of medication management and dosing changes as part of a set of new payment codes the American Medical Association has created. Some insurers have adopted the new codes at reimbursement levels below in-person care. A question for patients is if this starts to impact the length of visits or access to visits as psychiatric practices face less payment for care. One group is changing to 40 minute visits only, not 50-60.

Perspective: So I lied again today, not about my apple playlist laced with more showtunes than a Broadway diner, but about my addiction. Only this lie felt oddly necessary even if uneasy. Click here for the column.

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