U.S. Shortage of Family Doctors
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The shortage of general physicians referred to in your Nov. 9 article, “U.S. Needs More Family Doctors, Study Warns,” is real and deserves immediate attention. The fact that the shortage coincides with a dramatic growth in our elderly population makes action on this issue even more imperative.
Keep in mind that it takes nearly 10 years to train and educate a general internist. Even if Congress acts this year to boost the ranks of generalists, we will be well into the next century before we begin to see a significant rise in the number of primary care physicians. By that time, our aging baby boomers will already be in dire need of more doctors with the skills to diagnose and manage their increasingly complex medical problems.
Our nation’s efforts to provide universal access to health care will not be successful if there are not enough generalist physicians to provide that care. Thus, addressing the shortage of generalists should be a major part of any health care package considered by the Congress and the new Administration.
LAURENCE WELLIKSON MD
Trustee, American Society
of Internal Medicine, Orange
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