M uch has been discussed about a potential shortage of dermatologists. Some say there is a shortage and some say there isn’t. Over the last couple of years, the general consensus has been that there is a shortage and that increasing the number of dermatology residents will help ease it. However, how those extra residencies are to be funded has been a big bone of contention among dermatologists. For more on that issue, see this month’s cover story, “Is There Really a Shortage of Dermatologists?” beginning on page 38. No Debate Surrounding this Shortage Although some dermatologists would debate whether or not there’s an overall shortage of dermatologists in the country, not many would question the continuing decline of graduating internists choosing primary care as their area of practice. This trend is well documented, but now a new study has focused on where exactly these graduating residents are going and why, according to an article that was published in the May 16 issue of American Medical News. The study, which was published in the May issue of Academic Medicine, found that since 2000 (the study focused on 1998 through 2003) more than half of graduating residents chose a subspecialty instead of primary care. In 2003, only 27% of graduating residents chose primary care vs. 57% for subspecialties and 7% chose to become hospitalists; 9% chose other career paths. Among students who were in their first year of residency in 2003, the percentage choosing primary care was even lower — 19%. Exploring the Reasons Why Internal medicine residents were surveyed to find out why they chose a subspecialty over primary care, and their top five reasons included the following: • Good match with interests was the number-one reason cited (94%) • Long-term relationships with patients (55%) • Narrow practice area preferred (52%) • Caring for critical care patients (46%) • More time with family (39%). Lower on the list of reasons for choosing a subspecialty were reasons such as having a higher income (27%) and having more time for non-work activities (33%). Heading for a Potential Crisis Not surprisingly, the author of the study, Richard Garibaldi, M.D., Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center, cautioned that medicine was headed for a crisis in primary care. What might be the result of too few primary care physicians? According to Dr. Garibaldi, “Subspecialists could find they’re becoming the principal caregiver for some patients.” Larisa Hubbs Executive Editor lhubbs@hmpcommunications.com
Primary Care Practice —Now There’s a Shortage
M uch has been discussed about a potential shortage of dermatologists. Some say there is a shortage and some say there isn’t. Over the last couple of years, the general consensus has been that there is a shortage and that increasing the number of dermatology residents will help ease it. However, how those extra residencies are to be funded has been a big bone of contention among dermatologists. For more on that issue, see this month’s cover story, “Is There Really a Shortage of Dermatologists?” beginning on page 38. No Debate Surrounding this Shortage Although some dermatologists would debate whether or not there’s an overall shortage of dermatologists in the country, not many would question the continuing decline of graduating internists choosing primary care as their area of practice. This trend is well documented, but now a new study has focused on where exactly these graduating residents are going and why, according to an article that was published in the May 16 issue of American Medical News. The study, which was published in the May issue of Academic Medicine, found that since 2000 (the study focused on 1998 through 2003) more than half of graduating residents chose a subspecialty instead of primary care. In 2003, only 27% of graduating residents chose primary care vs. 57% for subspecialties and 7% chose to become hospitalists; 9% chose other career paths. Among students who were in their first year of residency in 2003, the percentage choosing primary care was even lower — 19%. Exploring the Reasons Why Internal medicine residents were surveyed to find out why they chose a subspecialty over primary care, and their top five reasons included the following: • Good match with interests was the number-one reason cited (94%) • Long-term relationships with patients (55%) • Narrow practice area preferred (52%) • Caring for critical care patients (46%) • More time with family (39%). Lower on the list of reasons for choosing a subspecialty were reasons such as having a higher income (27%) and having more time for non-work activities (33%). Heading for a Potential Crisis Not surprisingly, the author of the study, Richard Garibaldi, M.D., Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center, cautioned that medicine was headed for a crisis in primary care. What might be the result of too few primary care physicians? According to Dr. Garibaldi, “Subspecialists could find they’re becoming the principal caregiver for some patients.” Larisa Hubbs Executive Editor lhubbs@hmpcommunications.com
M uch has been discussed about a potential shortage of dermatologists. Some say there is a shortage and some say there isn’t. Over the last couple of years, the general consensus has been that there is a shortage and that increasing the number of dermatology residents will help ease it. However, how those extra residencies are to be funded has been a big bone of contention among dermatologists. For more on that issue, see this month’s cover story, “Is There Really a Shortage of Dermatologists?” beginning on page 38. No Debate Surrounding this Shortage Although some dermatologists would debate whether or not there’s an overall shortage of dermatologists in the country, not many would question the continuing decline of graduating internists choosing primary care as their area of practice. This trend is well documented, but now a new study has focused on where exactly these graduating residents are going and why, according to an article that was published in the May 16 issue of American Medical News. The study, which was published in the May issue of Academic Medicine, found that since 2000 (the study focused on 1998 through 2003) more than half of graduating residents chose a subspecialty instead of primary care. In 2003, only 27% of graduating residents chose primary care vs. 57% for subspecialties and 7% chose to become hospitalists; 9% chose other career paths. Among students who were in their first year of residency in 2003, the percentage choosing primary care was even lower — 19%. Exploring the Reasons Why Internal medicine residents were surveyed to find out why they chose a subspecialty over primary care, and their top five reasons included the following: • Good match with interests was the number-one reason cited (94%) • Long-term relationships with patients (55%) • Narrow practice area preferred (52%) • Caring for critical care patients (46%) • More time with family (39%). Lower on the list of reasons for choosing a subspecialty were reasons such as having a higher income (27%) and having more time for non-work activities (33%). Heading for a Potential Crisis Not surprisingly, the author of the study, Richard Garibaldi, M.D., Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center, cautioned that medicine was headed for a crisis in primary care. What might be the result of too few primary care physicians? According to Dr. Garibaldi, “Subspecialists could find they’re becoming the principal caregiver for some patients.” Larisa Hubbs Executive Editor lhubbs@hmpcommunications.com
