Primary Care Access: A Critical Juncture for Physicians
The primary care system in the United States is currently facing various challenges. A recent report from 2024 has shown that 29% of adults do not have a regular healthcare provider. Additionally, the waiting time for new patients can be as long as nine months, which clearly indicates the growing accessibility crisis.
There are various reasons for this issue, including the increasing demand for primary care physicians and their inadequate supply. It has been estimated that by 2036, there may be a significant shortage of up to 68,000 primary care physicians.
This potential deficit is primarily due to physicians’ disproportionately high administrative workload. To address this issue, the compensation structure for primary care physicians must reflect their vital role in healthcare. Primary care physicians spend two hours on administrative tasks for every hour of patient care.
The impact of this crisis is significant, leading to compromised access to preventive and chronic disease management care, poorer health outcomes, and higher healthcare costs. It is crucial to reform payment models and improve training and recruitment in the primary care field to address this crisis. Advocating for these systemic changes is essential to ensure that primary care remains a vital and effective part of the healthcare system. Take action today!
Primary Care Shortage Reshaping How Patients Seek Care (Coffey, Medscape, 4/29).
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