New survey highlights concerns of patient access to physicians

A new survey by the Physicians' Foundation, published in October, 2008, indicates that patient access to physicians may be constrained in the future.

The survey's respondents, most of whom were primary care physicians, highlighted concerns about patient access to physicians.

Key findings:

• 49% of respondents stated that they plan to reduce the number of patients they see or stop practicing entirely over the next three years.
• 94% of respondents indicated an increase in time spent on non-clinical paperwork in the last three years.
• 63% of respondents indicated that paperwork erodes time spent with patients.
• 82% of respondents said their practices would be "unsustainable" if proposed cuts to Medicare reimbursement were put into effect.

See the entire survey. Click here.