Hudson Reporter Archive

Solving the crisis in primary care

Recently Medical Economics http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/ * reported that: “Direct pay models could buy physicians more time with patients to improve care and reset a fractured payment system.”
“There is a crisis in the provision of primary care in the United States. If you are a patient, a primary care doctor, an insurer, an employer or a policy maker, this crisis is exceptionally important to you.
The crisis means that Americans do not get the level or quality of healthcare that they deserve and need. This crisis is the major reason that healt care in total is so expensive and why costs keep rising. This crisis needs to be fixed and fixed as quickly as possible. The solution is not too difficult.
What is this crisis? The fundamental problem is a flawed and non-sustainable business model that forces primary care doctors (PCPs) to care for too many patients and as a result not have the time they need to provide high level care. They need time to listen, time to think, time to give quality preventive care and time to coordinate care for those with complex chronic illnesses.
In other words, they need time to practice at the top of their profession, something they currently are unable to do fully.
* to read the full Medical Economics article “Solving the crisis in primary care” by Stephen C. Schimpff, highlight and click on open hyperlink http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/solving-crisis-primary-care?page=0,0
Doctor, Did You Wash Your Hands? ™ provides information to consumers on understanding, managing and navigating health care options.
Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H., is Clinical Professor, Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Adjunct Professor, Baruch College ( C.U.N.Y.), Rutgers School of Public Health, and Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration
This blog shares general information about understanding and navigating the health care system. For specific medical advice about your own problems, issues and options talk to your personal physician.

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