Division of Public Health addressing decline in primary care physicians
DOVER, Del. – The number of primary care physicians in the First State is shrinking, that’s according to a recent study from the University of Delaware.
47 ABC sat down with the director of the Division of Public Health to find out why and what they’re doing to address this healthcare concern.
Director Dr.Karyl Rattay said, “We are concerned about our decreasing number of primary care physicians in the state.”
Dr. Rattay tells 47 ABC the decline of skilled doctors and physicians is a growing problem for Delaware’s healthcare customers.
Dr Rattay also said, “It’s very problematic. Primary care is foundational to our healthcare delivery system.”
Providers just aren’t applying here, and those that are already here, aren’t continuing their practice.
Since 2013, the amount of primary care physicians has dropped 6% state-wide.
The big reason? They’re not getting paid enough and they’re getting older.
Dr Rattay said, “Our primary care workforce is getting older and many are retiring or getting ready to retire. In fact, in Kent County about 25 percent of our primary care workforce is over the age of 65.”
On top of that, in Kent County only 60 percent plan to continue their practice in the next five years.
Followed by 70 percent in Sussex County and 78 percent in New Castle County.
If healthcare customers don’t have primary doctor, they’re forced to seek other healthcare outlets, like urgent care, Dr. Rattay says, which is problematic.
She said, “Other aspects of the healthcare system where they [customers] will go if they don’t have access to primary care are placed where they may not get comprehensive care.”
To address concerns DPH tells 47 ABC they have incentives to get clinicians to apply including a National Health Service Core, State Loan Repayment program, or Visa Waiver program for international students to come practice in the U.S.
Also, Dr Rattay says, “Newly we have a Primary Care Collaborative looking at policy issues really tackling short and long term solutions to the primary care crisis that we are in.”
The division of public health hopes their initiatives motivate skilled professionals to apply here, and stay here to better serve the state of Delaware.
