Lack of primary care physicians tied to emergency surgeries

Editor's Note

Research shows that Americans who live in areas with a limited number of primary care doctors and nurse practitioners are at a greater risk for emergency surgeries and complications. The findings were published March 4 in the journal Health Affairs. 

For the study, researchers looked at Medicare patient data in areas identified by federal reporting as having a low number of primary care providers. Nearly six in 10 census tracts with a shortage of primary care providers are in rural areas, they note.  

The researchers focused on patients with conditions that required time-sensitive operations: colectomies, or removing cancer from the colon; hernia repair; and surgery to treat aneurysms. They found that in the areas with the most provider shortages, 38% of patients required emergency surgery, compared with 30% of those in areas with the least severe shortages. Patients in areas with fewer providers also had a higher risk for serious complications (15%, compared to 12% in high provider areas), and hospital readmission (nearly 16% vs. 13.5%).

Researchers say the study highlights the important role played by primary care physicians. They encourage people in rural areas to seek out primary care doctors and to pay attention to new symptoms. They also encourage surgeons to work with patients to ensure that they have primary care support moving forward.