To the Editor:
Foderman and Factor made several good suggestions to correct the primary care physician (PCP) shortage.
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One in particular may be the cynosure of primary care training in the future.I refer to using community centers as the main teaching site instead of hospitals for PCPs.
Clearly, the role of the PCP has undergone radical change in the past 2 decades. Many no longer care for hospital or nursing home patients. Some no longer practice pediatrics or deliver babies or perform minor office surgery.
Administrative chores consume about 30% of PCPs' time, leaving them little to see and talk to patients. And the threat of malpractice has made many shy away from treating serious illnesses.
Most of the care provided by PCPs is limited to chronic disease and upper respiratory illnesses and emotional dysfunction.
All of this is better learned in a community health center. It won't solve all the PCP shortage, but it would make PCPs more effective, more available, and, by accomplishing both, would indirectly reduce the shortage.
Reference
- Solutions to the primary care physician shortage.Am J Med. 2015; 128: 800-801
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© 2016 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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- Solutions to the Primary Care Physician ShortageThe American Journal of MedicineVol. 128Issue 8
- PreviewA primary care physician shortage currently exists in this country. As millions get health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, this shortage is likely to grow. It is imperative that leaders recognize the need to grow primary care capacity. This piece will explore solutions to increase primary care capacity in the United States.
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- The Reply:The American Journal of MedicineVol. 129Issue 2
- PreviewThe role of Community Health Centers in our health care system has increased substantially since the turn of the century. From 2000 to 2011, the number of community health center visits has increased from 30 million to 80 million. Over this same period, full-time staff working at community health centers across the country has increased from 56,000 to 138,000. This trend will no doubt continue, as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has authorized $11 billion over 5 years for federally qualified health centers.
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