Meghan Bohren
Primary care physicians consist of: ◦ Family physicians/general practioners ◦ General internists ◦ General pediatricians ◦ Geriatricians In 2010, there were approximately 209,000 practicing primary care physicians for a population of 312,648,000 ◦ 1 primary care physician per 1496 people 624,434 physicians who spend the majority of time in direct patient care ◦ Less than 1/3 are specialists in primary care Statistics from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
In 2010, Americans made 956 million visits to office-based physicians Statistics from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Other health professions developed in the 1960s to address the physician shortages Nurse practitioners: registered nurses who complete a higher degree (Masters or PhD) and are certified through state-level accreditation ◦ Focus on the patient’s condition and the effects of illness on the family ◦ Prevention, wellness, patient education ◦ Scope of practice depends on the state – may work independently or collaboratively with a physician ◦ 56,000 NP in 2010 Physician assistants: receive training in the medical field, not nursing, and are trained to assist physicians ◦ Conduct physical exams, diagnose illnesses, write prescriptions ◦ 30,000 PA in 2010 Statistics from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Mixed market health system ◦ Government sources (federal, state, local) account for 45% of health expenditures ◦ Private sources account for 55% of health expenditures 38% of Americans receive health coverage from their employers 17% of Americans receive health coverage from private payment such as private insurance and out- of-pocket copays 12-16% of Americans do not have any health insurance
The United States is the only developed nation without a universal health care system Current debates in Congress to provide affordable primary healthcare to all Americans under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Medicare – provides insurance for the elderly and disabled with a work history Medicaid – provides insurance for some low- income families