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Using data generated through simulated patient calls to a national random sample of primary care physicians between February and July 2020, we examine the effects of the first wave of COVID‐19 on the availability of the U.S. primary care physician workforce for routine new patient appointments. As states enacted stay‐at‐home orders, physicians overall became less selective by insurance, and there was a 7 percentage‐point increase in acceptance of patient insurance. Telemedicine appointment offers increased 10.2 percentage points from near zero. However, relative to younger counterparts, physicians older than the sample mean (53.1 years) became 18.1 percentage points less likely to offer appointments and decreased their estimated appointment duration by 7.1 min. Compared to male physicians, female physicians became 10 percentage points more likely to accept new patients. These insights into appointment offers during the first wave of COVID‐19 may help policymakers seeking to ensure an adequate physician workforce during future crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: Patient satisfaction is increasingly emphasized and measured in healthcare delivery. However, patient satisfaction is multifactorial and difficult to comprehensively assess. The objective of this study was to assess for correlation between patient satisfaction measured by Press Ganey surveys (PGS) and physician demographics of gender, years in practice, academic rank, and specialty in academic otolaryngology.Study Design: Review of publicly available PGS scores in academic otolaryngology practice.Methods: Public websites of academic otolaryngology departments were assessed for inclusion of PGS scores. Individual physician profiles were queried for years in practice, academic rank, and specialty. Gender was determined by picture or profile pronouns. Univariate and multivariate analyses compared PGS scores with studied variables.Results: Forty-seven of 113 (42.8%) academic practices publicly reported physician PGS score. Of 1,360 affiliated otolaryngologists, 742 (54.6%,592 male:150 female) revealed PGS scores. Average PGS score for male and female providers was equivalent (PGS = 4.73, P = .84). There was no significant difference in PGS scores by academic rank (P = .28). A weak statistically significant decrease in mean PGS scores was associated with longer duration of practice (r = -0.11, P = .018). Head and neck oncologic surgeons had higher mean PGS score in comparison to other specialties (PGS = 4.81, P < .05). General/comprehensive otolaryngologists had lower average PGS score (PGS = 4.66) in comparison to specialists (P < .05).Conclusions: Physician gender and academic rank do not correlate with patient satisfaction in academic otolaryngology as measured by publicly reported PGS scores. Head and neck oncology is rated more highly than other specialties, and physicians in practice for longer demonstrate decreased PGS scores. With PGS scores tied to physician evaluation and reimbursement, investigation into the generalizability of PGS in otolaryngology is warranted.Level Of Evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 130: 1902-1906, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]