My GP, who’s in his early 50’s, told me he has one more year and then he’s “Outta here!”
His private practice group has had to join a larger group just to keep their heads above water and comply with all the electronic data requirements.
I think because compensation per visit is so poor they’re piling in more and more patients on their schedules. I can’t get in to see my GP for 6 weeks...if an emergency comes up, I have to see the Nurse Practitioner.
Six week wait time is awful. You must take the traditional HC route, which for catastrophic occurrences is vital; for most other levels of care, not always so great. I like the fact that my care decisions are determined by my doc and me, not some bean countin’ case mgr in an Alaskan cubicle. I pay for my health care on the concierge plan. I can call to tomorrow morning and get an appt in a couple of hours. I pay promptly and like to think I’m a good patient overall. Been seeing him for nearly 8 years now. The out-of-pocket cost is not as much as you might imagine, even for a Internal Med doc in a fairly prestige practice in Dallas. Everyone should seek out a good physician whom they’re willing to pay for services rendered. But that’s just my humble opinion based on my experience. Someone covered under Mediscare is proscribed from doing so for one thing.
gone will be the days where you had "your" doctor...most of "our" doctors don't go to the hospital anymore because of their work load...
don't get me wrong...medicine is still a highly paid profession, but the hassles, the long hours, etc...it'd be better to be a teacher with easy courses and work 1/2 the year....never get sued...never have to worry about a pension or medical care...