Finding Advocates in Primary Care Physicians. Here’s a Group That Will Make a Difference

A Movement with Merit

When I was about to start my practice my mentor advised, “ Ed, here is the key to what will make you successful. Sit in a tree with a phone and answer it. Talk to the patients. Respond to their needs. Oh, one more thing. Do it well and be sure you let them know you care.”

To this day, that advice rings home. Much has changed in access to health care nowadays. No doctors are sitting in trees answering phones. Access to primary care is difficult. What is the answer to improving access as it once seemed to be? And what is the advantage?

Here is another conversation that demonstrates part of the problem:

“Ed, my primary care physician and I are not compatible. I want to make a change. Who or what do you suggest?”

“Here is the problem, John. If you leave your physician, you will find it difficult, and in some cases, near impossible to find another primary care physician. So, figure out a way to get along for the good of your health. Come to a mutual understanding with the doctor you have.”

What a kerfuffle. I turned to my friend and longtime primary care practitioner and advocate (herein pops the advocacy issue again), Dr. Michael Fine, Chief Health Strategist for Central Falls Rhode Island, and former Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. He has advocated for quality patient care and the need to access it throughout his distinguished career.

“Ed, it is a problem. That’s why I am connected with a group to look at a solution. We call ourselves Primary Care for All Americans. I’m all in. Take a look at our website.” I did. It’s robust.

Here is what they say. “We’re a movement to build a healthcare system for the US. This system will focus on helping people, not making money. Our goal is to make sure every person has a family doctor and a place where they can get medical care. We believe that everyone should have access to basic healthcare, no matter where they live. By making sure everyone has a family doctor, we can make healthcare fair, affordable, and effective for everyone in the country.”

Michael and I have met often to discuss these critical issues, albeit difficult to resolve but not insurmountable.

“We need help. We need more advocates. We need contributions of all kinds. Remember the three Ws of giving: Wisdom, Work, and Wealth. Well, we need them all.”

The lofty ambition of the group is to build a not-for-profit healthcare system that starts by providing advanced primary care to every American, in every neighborhood and community.

They expect everyone to have a family physician and every community a primary care practice. I love it.

“By including all Americans, we’ll improve public health, lower costs, and help strengthen our democracy.”

Several studies have shown that provider organizations with higher primary care investment as a percentage of total spending performed significantly better on quality and had lower spending on both inpatient and outpatient hospital services. Wow. Stunning.

Ahhh, the good old family doc. Ahhh, the good old primary care practice. Advocates for their patients. Uniquely positioned to address their needs. Informed ombudspeople who guide, engender trust, understand the complex healthcare system, and function as a voice in connecting their patients to the resources in that system. It’s vital to health care.

Good health makes wealth as society becomes more productive.

When I sat in that metaphorical tree, I was satisfied, gratified, and rewarded. I was the advocate. It’s the advocacy part that I appreciate.

Doctors can help patients feel more empowered to take an active role in their healthcare. Who better than your primary care doctor to walk you along that road?

Follow the progress of the Primary Care for All Americans Organization. Find a way to encourage and help their mission.

Join them.

With their successes, all the trees will have doctors in them.