Primary need: more doctors

Primary need: more doctors

EDITOR:

The Vindicator on September 14, 2009, published a short article Sept. 14, “More primary docs are a must.” There is currently a marked shortage of primary care physicians in the United States. The extension of health care to the 45-50 million that are currently uninsured will add significantly to this problem. We will need about an additional 40,000 such physicians.

At this time only about 5 percent of medical school graduates elect to enter primary care practices. The average student graduates with a debt of $150,000 to $200,000. As a result, regardless of the student’s actual preference or inclination, he or she will often choose a specialty of the student’s actual preference or inclination, he or she will often choose a specialty that promises high financial remuneration. Primary care is not such a specialty.

May I suggest that we consider a system similar to that in most European countries. Let us give significant federal financial support (not a loan) to medical students and require, in return, a period of National Health Service in the primary care specialties. Such a program could be presented on an optional and voluntary basis. It could help solve both the student indebtedness and the physician shortage problems.

KURT J. WEGNER, M.D.

Youngstown