Trying To Develop More Primary Care Physicians

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - We all know there is a need to have more primary care physicians in the country. But recent reports have indicated that one of the major specialties to develop primary care physicians, internal medicine, for several years has had a significant percentage of young physicians training in that specialty choosing to head into subspecialties like cardiology and gastroenterology.

This is not unexpected because internal medicine residencies often serve as the first step of subspecializing in specific areas.

Those who are concerned about the shortage are trying to come up with creative ways to draw more internists into primary care options.