Primary Care Shortage Reshaping How Patients Seek Care.

A primary care shortage in the United States is making it increasingly difficult for patients to access the care they need. Many Americans do not have a regular source of care, and those looking for a new primary care provider face long wait times for appointments. The shortage of primary care providers is expected to worsen in the coming years, with a projected shortage of 68,000 providers by 2036. The current fee-for-service model and administrative burdens are contributing to the shortage, and experts suggest that higher reimbursement rates and restructuring the payment system could help address the issue. In the meantime, primary care doctors are adapting by reducing their hours, transitioning to concierge services, or specializing their practice. Efforts are also being made to improve access to primary care through workplace initiatives. However, more significant reforms are still needed to adequately address the primary care shortage in the United States. [Extracted from the article]