Patients with high-cost chronic conditions rely heavily on primary care physicians

J Am Board Fam Med. 2014 Jan-Feb;27(1):11-2. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2014.01.130128.

Abstract

Today's US physician workforce principally comprises specialists trained in the care of specific chronic conditions in the outpatient setting. However, a majority of patients seeking care for most of 14 high-cost chronic conditions, for example hypertension, were more likely to see a primary care physician than a specialist physician (69% vs. 24%, respectively).

Keywords: Physician-Patient Relations; Quality of Health Care.

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Health Care Costs
  • Humans
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data*