Researchers from Columbia University in New York City and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia estimated the demand for primary care physicians is expected to grow by 2 percent annually, which is about a 51 percent growth over 20 years, while the supply of primary care providers will grow only 2 percent in 20 years.
While these numbers appear daunting, the report highlights three ways to offset the increased demand for primary care:
• Using physician pools or pods, in which a group of about three physicians accept joint responsibility for patient care and are supported by non-physician providers, can increase patient access to primary care physicians.
• Some routine care problems can be extended to non-physician providers.
• Physicians can use electronic communication to treat patients in lieu of an in-person visit.
Many hospitals and physician groups are already implementing these tactics as part of their approach to healthcare reform. If more practices adopt these practices, researchers say the physician shortage will either shrink or disappear completely.
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