Primary Physician Shortage
Many factors, one of them being medial malpractice insurance rates, are sending new doctors away from primary practice and towards specialties, leaving a shortage of primary physicians in this country. The National Association of Community Health Centers reports on the shortage, especially in rural areas, is leading us towards a medical crisis.
"This is the unfortunate reality of our health care system. It’s an example of how the market triumphs over public policy," said Dan Hawkins, the association’s senior vice president of programs and policy and one of the authors of the report. "Even if universal health care comes into play tomorrow, not everyone would have access to a health care provider."
Although many of these people are insured, 56 million Americans do not have a regular source of health care due to shortages of physicians in their communities, according to the online report. Hawkins said that this translates to poorer health outcomes and less coordinated care for this group.
The study estimates that, in order to provide services to these medically disenfranchised Americans as well as current patients, health centers will need up to 60,000 more primary care professionals, and up to 44,500 additional nurses.
A big issue for many doctors deciding on their field of practice out of medical school is how they are going to pay off their education debts. With primary physicians making far less than those in specialties, and with medical malpractice rates skyrocketing along with other debts, the decision for some is easy. What will it take to have more med students choose primary practice?