Question: The northern community of Assiniboine Narrows has a population of 12,000. It has one medical clinic with three doctors, each working 40 hours per week. Each doctor sees four patients per hour. The clinic would like to hire one or two more doctors.
The mortality rate in the community is 11 per 1,000 population. This rate will fall to 9.5 per thousand if one doctor is added and to 9 per thousand if two doctors are added. Each new doctor will cost the system $250,000 per year.
An alternative plan is to bring in two home care nurses. Each home care nurse will see two patients per hour. The addition of the first nurse will reduce the mortality rate by 0.8 per thousand, and the addition of a second nurse will reduce the mortality rate by 0.6 per thousand. Each home care nurse will cost the system $100,000 per year.
Use calculations to examine the alternatives available to Assiniboine Narrows. Then, based on your calculations, make a recommendation as to the preferred course of action. Ensure that you calculate the output and outcome of each additional health professional.