The Future of Primary Care

Editorials4 February 2003The Future of Primary CareHarold C. Sox, MD, EditorHarold C. Sox, MD, EditorSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-138-3-200302040-00016 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Primary care leaders and practitioners are concerned about the future of their specialty. In this issue of Annals, they explain their concerns and offer suggestions based on discussions at a conference on the Future of Primary Care held in October 2001. In this editorial, I underscore some of the reasons for concern, point out key elements of the mission of primary care, and identify points of leverage for renewal of the field.What is primary care? In 1978, the Institute of Medicine offered a memorable description: primary care is first contact, comprehensive, and continuing (1). A subsequent Institute of Medicine ...References1. Institute of Medicine. Report of a study: a manpower policy for primary health care. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 1978. Google Scholar2. Donaldson MS, Yordy KD, Lohr KN, Vanselow NA. Committee on the Future of Primary Care, Institute of Medicine. Primary Care: America's Health in a New Era. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 1996. Google Scholar3. Safran DG. Defining the future of primary care: what can we learn from patients? Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:248-55. LinkGoogle Scholar4. Moore G, Showstack J. Primary care medicine in crisis: toward reconstruction and renewal. Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:244-7. LinkGoogle Scholar5. Mechanic D, McAlpine DD, Rosenthal M. Are patients' office visits with physicians getting shorter? N Engl J Med. 2001;344:198-204. [PMID: 11172143] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Ginsburg P. Payment and the future of primary care. Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:233-4. LinkGoogle Scholar7. 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[PMID: 9526451] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Harold C. Sox, MD, EditorAffiliations: Corresponding Author: Customer Service, American College of PhysiciansAmerican Society of Internal Medicine, 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoThe Future of Primary Care Clair Morud The Future of Primary Care Scott A. Shipman , Jon D. Lurie , and David C. Goodman The Future of Primary Care Clifton R. 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Shipman, MD, MPH, Jon D. Lurie, MD, MS, and David C. Goodman, MD, MSPrimary Care at a CrossroadsJonathan Showstack, PhD, MPH, Arlyss Anderson Rothman, PhD, MHS, FNP, and Susan Hassmiller, PhD, RN 4 February 2003Volume 138, Issue 3Page: 230-232KeywordsForecastingHealth careHealth care providersNursesPatientsPrevention, policy, and public healthPrimary carePrimary care physiciansSub-specialty careVision ePublished: 4 February 2003 Issue Published: 4 February 2003 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2003 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...