| Survey Finds Numerous Problems Facing Primary Care Doctors
A report from The Physicians’ Foundation said
nearly half of all the nation’s primary care physicians plan to
stop practicing or reduce the number of patients they see.
The survey released by the organization depicts
widespread frustration and concern among primary care physicians
nationwide, which could lead to a dramatic decrease in practicing
doctors in the near future.
The survey examined the causes behind the doctors’
dissatisfaction, the state of their practices and the future of care.
The resulting findings show the possibility of significantly decreased
access for Americans in the years ahead, as many doctors are forced to
reduce the number of patients they see or quit the practice of medicine
outright.
An overwhelming majority – 78 percent – of
physicians believe that there is an existing shortage of primary care
doctors in the United States today.
Additionally, nearly half of them – 49 percent, or
more than 150,000 practicing doctors – said that over the next
three years they plan to reduce the number of patients they see or stop
practicing entirely.
The Physicians’ Foundation believes the future of
primary care could have a significant impact on the American healthcare
debate.
The reported reasons for the widespread frustration
among physicians include increased time dealing with non-clinical
paperwork, difficulty receiving reimbursement and burdensomegovernment
regulations. Physicians said these issues keep them from the most
satisfying aspect of their job: patient relationships.
Address: The Physicians’ Foundation, 77 Summer St., 8th Fl., Boston, MA 02110; (617) 399-0417, www.physiciansfoundation.org.
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