Outdated thinking about “primary care” is all around us— Generally I like Consumers Report—they often help me evaluate between microwave ovens, vacuums, cars... Yet this article is tinged with bias. I feel that their underlying assumptions regarding primary care are 1.) only an MD can actually help and 2.) you might be short changed if you see other, highly competent medical professionals...and 3.) MDs are hard to come by so...good luck! While I agree that MDs are uniquely qualified for specialty care, primary care is truly a “green field” where people /patients can get what they need from other skilled medical providers . And I might add, soon—now!—primary care “patients” will be “treated” at pharmacies, in grocery store clinics, and (or) by your in-Home or wearable smart device. Selected Excerpt : “His January 2017 study in the journal Medical Care found that practices with more N.P.s and P.A.s had fewer specialist referrals, hospitalizations, and ER visits. And other research has found that when it comes to high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory infections, and other common problems, there’s little difference in treatment from M.D.s and advanced practice providers.
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