October 30, 2023- Consistent visits to your primary care physician are the foundation of a preventive care regime, but what happens if there are no primary care physicians? Though the COVID-19 has mostly subsided in the last year or so, resources and personnel are still dwindling for the primary care space.
A study conducted earlier this year by Axios found that graduating medical students are not moving towards primary care, even with an increase in applicants to schools and further congressional efforts to increase residency slots. According to this data, many residents are moving towards higher-paying specialties in lieu of primary care, which could leave gaps in care for patients across the country.
This is a trend that experts have seen coming for a number of years, especially in the wake of COVID-19. A smaller percentage of physicians are entering the field than are currently practicing, and after seeing how healthcare took the brunt of a lot of challenges on the chin throughout the height of the pandemic, it’s no wonder that fewer people are entering the workforce.
As primary care continues to shrink across the country, healthcare organizations are looking at ways to better invest in primary care to ensure that there is no lapse in the healthcare continuum. First and foremost, these organizations need to understand the challenges facing patients and providers in the primary care setting.
Read more in the latest issue of Repertoire Magazine.