EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Families in El Paso who need pediatric endocrine care are facing long waits and long drives because of a shortage of specialists, a problem doctors say is playing out nationwide.
Dr. Kannan Kasturi, a pediatric endocrinologist who practices in Minnesota, said pediatric endocrinology is “a field that’s not having too many take-outs for it,” adding that “there’s just a nationwide shortage of pediatric endocrinologists in general.”
The El Paso Center for Diabetes recently hosted its annual 18th Diabetes Conference on Friday, bringing together dieticians, diabetic educators, nurses and physicians to share resources, education and support.
Attendees at 18th annual El Paso Center for Diabetes Conference. (Credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
“We want people with diabetes to know their life isn’t over. It’s just a journey. We’re gonna help you get to that journey in a happy way,” said Sandra Gonzalez, CEO of the El Paso Center for Diabetes.
For children living with diabetes, pediatric endocrinologists are key specialists who manage care tied to treatment and long-term health.
El Paso only has two on-call pediatric endocrinologists, Dr. Hector Granados and Dr. Sanjeet Sandhu, who work out of the same office.
READ MORE: El Paso pediatric endocrinologist drops private insurance, cites administrative burden
Granados said the demand is heavy. “We see more than 1200 visits per month,” he said.
Granados said patients travel in from outside the city and region. “They need to come from other places… Hobbs, they need to come from Alpine,” Granados said.
Granados added that the practice also sees patients from across the border. “We also serve people from the north of Mexico that need to come from Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua,” he said.
Kasturi said travel and access challenges are not unique to El Paso. “I do a lot of virtual care. Patients do have to travel a lot to come and see me. So I wouldn’t say it’s a problem only here,” he said.
He added, “There’s both an economic strain, there’s a health strain.”
READ MORE: El Paso families worry as local clinic stops accepting insurance; switches to cash-only
Marina Chaparro, a pediatric registered dietician and El Paso native who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child and now practices in Miami, said attracting specialists to underserved communities will take investment.
Marina Chaparro, Pediatric Registered Dietician. (Credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
“I think opportunities need to be created, whether it’s from hospitals, whether it’s making an advising to the opportunities, the level of leadership that they can bring on. The possibilities here are huge. It will take some investment in this community,” Chaparro said. “That’s part of it, having that passion, but also the financial capacity to bring qualified people. Because if we want top-tier care, there’s a price a lot of times to that.”
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