A PRIMARY PROBLEM.

The article discusses the possible primary care doctor shortage following the passage of national health care reform in the U.S. According to Dr. Lori Heim, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, there might be a shortage of about 40,000 family doctors by 2020 and thinks that this must be solved in order for the health care reform to work. Research shows that people who undergo regular primary care are better in complying with their treatment and have lower rates of illness and premature death as compared with those without primary care. INSETS: NURSE PRACTITIONERS AS LEADERS IN PRIMARY CARE;PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS EXTEND PRIMARY CARE;BRINGING PRIMARY CARE HOME.