Opinion| Primary care crisis in WA is already hurting Tri-Cities. What can be done?

A family medicine physician in our group recently shared a troubling pattern: new patients frequently report difficulty in securing timely primary care visits.

As a result, many arrive with symptoms that have worsened due to delays in receiving care. This physician has diagnosed more cases of cancer in the past two years than in her entire previous seven years of practice.

These are patients who recognized they needed medical attention but didn’t seek urgent or emergency services because their symptoms didn’t seem pressing—only to discover they were significant.

The inability to access primary care in a timely manner has led to missed opportunities for early detection and treatment, which could have significantly improved these patients’ outcomes.

The stories underscore a crisis: when primary care isn’t accessible, critical diagnoses are delayed and a patient’s health suffers. Primary care is the first line of defense and without timely access, lives are put at risk.

The shortage of primary care providers, particularly in rural areas, is increasingly severe and expected to worsen over the next decade. In fact, according to the Washington State Department of Health, the Tri-Cities area is facing a shortage of primary care providers because of a projected seven percent decrease in rural physicians by 2025.

As the number of practicing physicians decline, the burden on our healthcare system grows. To address this, we need a multi-faceted approach that includes expanding the roles of advanced practice nurses and physician assistants, who can help ensure that patients receive timely and comprehensive care.

This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the fundamental well-being of all our communities and addressing availability alone is not enough. Access to care is about more than just how many clinicians or appointments are available. Geographic access remains a significant barrier, especially in underserved areas.

Expanding virtual care means providers can reach patients who may not have easy access to physical clinics. Going one step further, virtual clinics that are part of an advanced primary care model connect patients to not only physicians but also pharmacists, nurses, health coaches, and even lifestyle medicine programs. This holistic approach ensures that care is continuous and coordinated, regardless of a patient’s location.

Quality primary care should be relational, not transactional. Strong relationships between clinicians and patients are crucial for better health outcomes.

Patients who feel heard, respected, and engaged in their care are more likely to experience improved health. Clinicians need the time and resources to build these relationships and ensure all aspects of a patient’s health are considered and managed in a coordinated manner.

As a physician and the President of Kinwell Medical Group, I’ve seen both the promise and peril of access to primary care. My experience taught me that primary care providers are essential in managing a wide range of health conditions, especially when they have the support and partnership of specialists.

However, the shortage of primary care providers often makes it difficult to establish strong patient-provider relationships. Coupled with the frustrations that come with fragmented care, patients often find themselves stuck with inefficient, less effective care. This is a poor experience for them and can lead to worse health outcomes.

The challenges we face in primary care are significant, but they are not insurmountable. By innovating and adapting, we can ensure that every patient has access to high-quality, relationship-centered care. Advanced primary care models, supported by virtual clinics, are essential to making primary care more available, accessible, and effective for all.

We are at a critical juncture in healthcare. The decisions we make today will have lasting impacts on the health and well-being of our communities for years to come. It is crucial to prioritize access to primary care, ensuring that every patient can live healthier, fuller lives.

This story was originally published September 21, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Opinion| Primary care crisis in WA is already hurting Tri-Cities. What can be done?."