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Will the Shortage of Primary Care Physicians in Massachusetts Derail Reform Efforts?

This article explores the impact of the primary care physician shortage in Massachusetts on healthcare reform efforts. It discusses the challenges patients face in accessing timely care and proposes solutions such as incentive programs, loan forgiveness, and expanded training to fix the supply imbalance. It also highlights the importance of reducing administrative burdens, payment reform, patient engagement, and comprehensive care.

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Will the Shortage of Primary Care Physicians in Massachusetts Derail Reform Efforts?

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  1. Will the Shortage of Primary Care Physicians in Massachusetts Derail Reform Efforts? Bruce S. Auerbach, MD, FACEP President Massachusetts Medical Society

  2. Enrollment through July 2008 110,740* 91,031 83,276 18,132 Commonwealth Care(30% pay monthly premium) Commonwealth Choice • May 1 data • Source: Commonwealth Connector reports

  3. But … Will They Have a Doctor?Massachusetts Physician Workforce Study: 2007

  4. But …When Will They Seea Doctor?

  5. Appointment Wait Times: 2007 Range and average for each specialty

  6. Patients Feel the Strain • Only 42% who made an appointment to see a primary care physician could be seen within a week • Down from 53% in 2005 and 2006 • 21% were forced to wait for necessary medical care • The most commonly cited reason for delays • Overcrowded doctors’ offices (23%) up 13% from last year • Scheduling problems (16%) • A lack of insurance (12%) • The need to wait for a referral (10%)

  7. Practices Accepting New Patients

  8. Fixing the Supply Imbalance • New incentive programs • Loan forgiveness programs • Partners Healthcare and community health centers • State Health Care Workforce Center • Advanced medical home pilots • State program under Medicaid • ACP pilot • Mass. Blue Cross Blue Shield • Expanded primary care training at UMass Medical School

  9. Other considerations • Reducing administrative burdens • Payment reform • Patient engagement • Wellness programs • Chronic disease management • Lifestyle changes • Care must be comprehensive and integrated

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