Shortage of health professionals

January 4, 2010 | 9:50 p.m. CST

Physician Karlynn Sievers listens as patient Joyce Thomas describes her sinus condition on Thursday. Sievers, who could not estimate how many patients she has, works in what is called a "Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area." Eighty percent of Missouri's counties share that designation.

RELATED STORIES: Physicians in short supply in rural Missouri areas