Demand growing faster than supply
Three factors are driving the demand for the services of primary care physicians. They are, the growth in the population, the increase in the average age of the population, and the increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases.
Challenging economics and stresses of primary care
A recent report from the National Center for Workforce Analysis projects a national shortage of 68,020 full-time equivalent (FTE) primary care physicians by the year 2036. There are many reasons for this shortage. Primary care physicians earn a lot less than other sub-specialties of medicine. Fewer younger doctors are going into primary care as a result. The average age of primary care physicians is higher than other sub-specialties. Over 50% of primary care physicians report burn out as administrative burdens are significant.
How Virtuemed can help
We are developing a primary care model that aspires to achieve the effectiveness of the best primary care practices currently available with the added benefit of using digital technologies to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of current approaches.
