A manpower policy for primary health care.
A National Academy of Sciences study of policy options for the supply of primary health-care manpower has produced a comprehensive set of recommendations. The study finds an adequate overall supply of physicians, but a shortage of primary health-care practitioners. It recommends maintaining current enrollment levels in medical schools and training programs for nurse practitioners and physician assistants and increasing the proportion of primary-care residents. To enhance the availability of primary care, the report advocates reimbursement for all physicians within a state at the same payment level for the same primary-care service, a reduction in payment differentials between primary-care services and nonprimary-care services, and reimbursement for educational and preventive services and for new health-practitioner services. The report supports a team approach in primary-care training and recommends that all medical students obtain clinical experience in a primary-care setting and some instruction in epidemiology and behavioral and social sciences.
D004501:Education, Medical; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010823:Physician Assistants / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics; D012106:Research; D012424:Rural Population; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population; D000078329:Workforce