Depending on where in the US you live the growing shortage of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) may be more or less evident to you. In a recent audio commentary Dr. Stephen Schimpff, author of The Future of Medicine, discusses the shortage of PCPs, especially in rural and economically depressed urban areas. Dr. Schimpff discusses some of the causes for this phenomena and offers some strategies on how we can reverse the situation.
"In the USA there are about 30% PCPs and 70% specialists. In other countries of the developed world, the ratio is the opposite. And PCPs now need to attend to many more patients with complex, chronic diseaes that last for life and require a team-based approach to care."
Download/listen to Primary Care Physicians - A Shortage
Ruthann Russo, PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT, is a healthcare expert with more than 20 years of experience working in and advising healthcare organizations.
Comments (1)
I'm just beginning my pre-med studies. I'm very confused on which way to go. I want to become an N.D. from an accredited college here in the US but I was told that I would only be able to go in to private practice and the State of Texas doesn't even recognize N.D. at all. So, I thought OK I will become a M.D. (PCP) and practice on a more holistic or preventive level and now I'm told if I do that I will jeopardize my license and could even face prosecution. Can you shed some light on this for me. I truly want to go in to preventive health and nutrition, just need the best way to get there. Also, private practice my first year out of school would be most unlikely.
Thanks,
Lisa
Posted by Lisa | July 29, 2008 7:28 PM
Posted on July 29, 2008 19:28