What’s Causing the Shortage of Primary Care Doctors?
It’s a concerning situation. Many people are choosing not to enter the field, and those who are already practicing are retiring early, citing burnout, inadequate compensation, and a lack of prestige associated with the profession. So, what’s the solution? Whenever I’m faced with a tough issue, I turn to my trusted friend, Dr. David Nash, the founding dean emeritus of The College of Population Health at Jefferson in Philadelphia. David, it’s great to have you here.
DAVID NASH Thanks for having me, John. It’s always a pleasure.
JOHN WHYTE A few weeks back, I wondered aloud, David, why anyone would choose primary care right now. We claim it’s the cornerstone of our healthcare system, yet we fail to reward these professionals financially or give them the respect they deserve. So, what’s the draw?
DAVID NASH That’s a great question. Let’s consider the research. It’s quite striking when you look globally. In every developed country that we aim to emulate in terms of health outcomes, there’s a ratio of three primary care doctors for every specialist. In stark contrast, in the U.S., we have three specialists for each primary care doctor. Primary care physicians are not just coordinators or quarterbacks; as you mentioned, John, they truly form the backbone of our healthcare system. They play a vital role in educating patients, keeping specialists aligned, connecting the dots for patients, providing early warnings, conducting follow-ups, and communicating with families.
