RIAFP Policy
Brief: 2/05/03
The SHAPE Study
The SHAPE Study research sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode
Island contains many important statistics and evaluations that will
help mold the future of health care in the State of Rhode Island.
While this is an important document that maps out strategies for health
care implementation in our state, there are, however, certain areas
in the report that are misleading to the public.
One misleading concept is a statement that with 288 non-government
physicians working in "patient care" per 100,000 population,
Rhode Island exceeds the current US average for physicians by 25%
and that we will still have an adequate supply of licensed physicians
in 2006. Nothing could be further from the truth as demonstrated by
many patient reports that they cannot find or get an appointment with
a primary care physician.
In addition to the disproportionate distribution of physicians in
and around the Providence area, the number of licensed physicians
does not translate to physicians active in direct patient care. Also,
there is no available data on the number of full time physicians that
are working in patient care activities. Estimates by physician groups
place these numbers far below the 288 per 100,000 population. Many
physicians work part-time or are in academic medicine, resulting in
a decreased amount of time spent in direct patient care. There are
also many reports that many physicians are leaving Rhode Island or
are retiring early due to severe cuts in reimbursement and rapidly
rising malpractice premiums.
Building on the contributions of the SHAPE study, Rhode Island would
be well served by a comprehensive, accurate study on the physician
work force here in the State of Rhode Island. Only then will we be
able to make intelligent and logical plans for the future of health
care delivery.
We
can be reached by phone at 401-453-4176, or at www.riafp.org.
This is one
in a series of reports designed to advance Family Practice and primary
care in Rhode Island's health care system, as well as to discuss public
health issues of importance to all Rhode Islanders.
We welcome
the opportunity to further discuss the issues presented here. We can
be reached by phone at 401-453-4176, or by email at info@riap.org.
2/5/03
