Trends in primary care

KFF Health News published an article about trends in primary care. The article points out that "demand for primary care is up, spurred partly by record enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans" and that "Today, a smaller percentage of physicians are entering the field than are practicing, suggesting that shortages will worsen over time." One approach to the addressing the shortage has been the rise of "retail clinics," which may be staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants, but which do not support a long-term between a patient and a specific primary care provider. On the other end of the spectrum, some doctors have been entering "concierge medicine," where providers charge an access fee but offer substantially more availability.

The article also notes that "People with a regular primary care doctor or practice are more likely to get preventive care, such as cancer screenings or flu shots, studies show, and are less likely to die if they do suffer a heart attack" and that "Physicians who see patients regularly are better able to spot patterns of seemingly minor concerns that could add up to a serious health issue." Hence, while the retail clinic model may offer better access and be more affordable, patient health might end off worse in the long-term, especially in populations that have more chronic or complex conditions. A market-based response to these trends might include increased compensation for primary care providers to help address the shortage. However, reimbursements in the healthcare industry are frequently dictated by forces other than simple supply and demand.