The Looming Shortage of Primary Care Physicians

The American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that approximately 52,000 more primary care physicians will be needed in the workforce by 2025 in order to maintain basic standards of care for the American population. But in a climate where medical professionals are increasingly turning away from general medicine to pursue higher paying niche specialties, the challenge to counter a looming shortage of primary care physicians rises exponentially. What actions, incentives, and culture changes will be needed to bring primary care back into prominence? Joining host Alicia Sutton to examine this issue is Ray Saputelli, Executive Vice President of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians.