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.