New study shows access to primary care more difficult in the years to come.  Primary care physicians are more time squeezed and lower paid of the medical specialities, which makes what we do a real labor of love.  The work we do reduces expensive ER visits, surgeries, admissions and prevents unnecessary visits.   Medicare and the insurance companies like Blue Cross have done tremendous damage to clinics with delayed and denied payments.  Now pharmacies, of all people, are trying to finish us off with tiny very narrow care clinics throughout town that are further destroying the local family physicians.  Broken care without continuity is undermining the clinical decision process and quality of care of our patients.  I’m sure it will also increase our liability as well even though we did not provide the care during the gaps.  This is not in any way to complain, but found these new challenges to be very troubling and something to consider in the future.  Meanwhile we’ll keep doing our best!

To read more, here is a link to the American Medical News article, “Doctors urge: Rescue primary care or work force shortage will mount”