A new survey of San Diego doctors reveals some emerging concerns about the field of primary care. The report comes from the San Diego County Medical Society. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
Primary care doctors include OBGYNs, family practitioners, and specialists in internal medicine. The survey shows most physicians believe there's a shortage of primary care doctors in the county. Medical practices say they're having trouble recruiting. Tom Gehring is executive director of the San Diego County Medical Society. He says part of the problem is simple economics.
Gehring: Primary cares are reimbursed less than specialists. And that starts to become a problem when you have to make a house payment in San Diego.
The survey reveals primary care doctors are among the lowest paid physicians in the area. In contrast, orthopedic surgeons are among the highest paid. But doctors say there's a shortage in that specialty, too.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
