Primary Care Workforce Shortages and Career Recommendations From Practicing Clinicians

Thursday, March 19, 2:00pm – 3:00pm Eastern

Presenter: Catherine DesRoches, PhD, Mathematica Policy Research

The current shortage of primary care physicians is expected to worsen with increases in the demand for primary care services. Increasing the supply of primary care physicians and expanding the roles of primary care nurse practitioners are two options for addressing this need. But while several physician groups have opposed the perceived substitution of physicians with nurse practitioners as primary care clinicians, a recent survey finds that more physicians would recommend that qualified students pursue careers as nurse practitioners rather than careers as primary care physicians.