MAYWOOD, Ill.—Adverse work conditions may be to blame for the decline in the number of primary care physicians nationwide, according to a study published in the latest issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
“Unfavorable work conditions are associated with stress, burnout and intent to leave for primary care physicians,” said Dr. Anita Varkey, study author and assistant professor in the department of medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. “These factors contribute to poor job satisfaction, which is among the reasons we are seeing a decrease in the number of primary care physicians.”
The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that the overall shortage of doctors may grow to 124,400 by 2025.
“There are not enough primary care physicians to meet current needs,” said Varkey, who also is medical director of the general medicine clinic at Loyola Outpatient Center, Loyola University Health System. “These findings suggest that a chaotic clinic environment may further exacerbate this problem and potentially lead to lower quality of patient care due to physician turnover and lack of continuity in care.”
