Where patients go when primary care waits are too long

A significant number of Americans are experiencing difficulty accessing primary care services, leading them to rely on urgent care and telehealth options. A report by the Physicians Foundation and Milbank Memorial Fund revealed that 29% of adults and 14% of children lack a regular source of care. Long wait times for appointments exacerbate the issue, with many facing delays of six to nine months for new patient visits and established patients having to wait days or weeks for sick visits. The Commonwealth Fund also reported that one-third of Medicare beneficiaries wait over a month to see a physician.

As a result of these challenges, individuals are increasingly turning to urgent care facilities and telehealth services for their healthcare needs. However, some experts are concerned that this trend may lead to people avoiding seeking care altogether unless absolutely necessary. One individual shared with Medscape that urgent care had become her primary care provider due to the inability to wait for appointments at a traditional primary care office.

Research indicates that while urgent care, retail clinics, and telehealth are bridging gaps in access, they do not substitute for the benefits of having a primary care physician who is familiar with a patient's history and ongoing health needs. Despite efforts by states and medical schools to increase the number of primary care residency positions, there remains a shortage of primary care providers, projected to reach 68,000 by 2036 according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. The lack of incentives for medical trainees to pursue careers in primary care contributes to this ongoing challenge in healthcare access and delivery.