Comments on: It’s the job – the only solution to primary care

By: Nicholas Fogelson

Nicholas Fogelson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:25:47 +0000

Here’s to those who still fight it out in primary care… I know I couldn’t do it. I have a hard enough time keeping my narrow field straight, trying to know something about everything would drive me insane. To not be paid well to do it would drive me to retirement.

By: Hospitalist Jobs

Hospitalist Jobs — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:50:42 +0000

I am disappointed to say that I think that the politicians are going to be interfering for some time to come.

By: Ed Pullen

Ed Pullen — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:53:52 +0000

Well said. I still like my job as as private practice FP most days, but the constant pressure to put up "numbers" every day of not only not get paid but because overhead goes on literally lose money is enough to make anyone consider taking just a salaried position for a big company (health care system) and retire as soon as possible.

By: Grand Rounds Vol 6, No. 19 | A Groundhog's Perspective on Med Blogs | More iPad

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:06:36 +0000

[...] of my faves is from Dr. Robert Centor, who’s a smart dude (so I am told). He discusses the reason nobody is choosing primary care: it’s not because of what people say about it, it’s the job itself. I think he is [...]

By: #1 Dinosaur

#1 Dinosaur — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:34:53 +0000

Hear, hear!

By: pcb

pcb — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:42:53 +0000

I agree, but think we're past the point of no return. There is a growing belief (right or wrong) that midlevels can do most of the work at the primary care level. I'm seeing more of them practicing pseudoindependently with minimal oversight from an MD who is usually overworked with their own patients (if they're even around at all.)
As midlevels increase their numbers, rotating medical students will be increasingly exposed to this "supervisory model" and realize that, most of the time, the midlevels are doing the same thing as the doctor.
Good luck getting medical students to choose primary care when their education, debt, experience, and sacrifice are valued at the same level as a non-physician provider.

By: Vishal Mandge

Vishal Mandge — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:53:32 +0000

I agree. PCPs manage 4-7 Chronic medical problems each visit as opposed to specialists who manage 1-3 problems, and still get paid less!
Patients come to me asking for referral to Endocrinologist for treating simple Type II DM with out complication! And when asked that a PCP can manage this, they tell that don't worry I have Insurance and I deserve a better care!
When a medical student tells someone that he wants to be a family physician or a general internists, he/she would look at him like he is dumb and did not get into a subspeciality! That thought process needs to be changed, otherwise our health care debt will keep on going up…