Continuity and access in the era of part-time practice

Authors

Thomas Bodenheimer
Cynthia Haq
Will Lehmann, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Bodenheimer T, Haq C, Lehmann W. Continuity and Access in the Era of Part-Time Practice. Ann Fam Med. 2018;16(4):359-360. doi: 10.1370/afm.2267

Affiliations

Aurora Family Medicine Residency Program

Abstract

The number of physicians seeing patients part time is growing, an evolution that challenges the primary care pillars of continuity and access. The growth of part-time practice is a response to burnout and to the pressures facing primary care physicians. Physicians who work fewer clinical hours and thereby reduce burnout are more satisfied with their careers, less likely to leave their jobs, and provide a better patient experience. Primary care practices can make a number of adjustments to optimize continuity and access in this era of part-time practice. Moreover, physicians who work fewer clinical hours are equally capable of fostering trusting relationships with patients as physicians seeing patients full time.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

29987087