The closure of a safety-net hospital affected 67 percent of primary care physicians, with some facing reduced access to specialists, more patient delays in care and the loss of colleagues, according to a study in the Annals of Family Medicine.
Researchers conducted interviews with 42 primary care physicians who practiced in underserved and non-underserved settings in Los Angeles County. Twenty-eight of those physicians, or 67 percent of the survey pool, said the closure of a large safety-net hospital in the county affected their practice.
According to the study, the three common themes in repercussions on PCPs were:
• "Reduced local access to specialist consultations, direct hospital admissions and timely emergency department evaluation;
• More patient delays in care and worse health outcomes because of poor patient understanding of the healthcare system changes; and
• Loss of colleagues and opportunities to teach residents and medical students."
The study found the hospital's closure affected physicians more than 20 miles away from the facility.
Researchers suggest PCPs be informed and consulted when a major change to the healthcare system is planned.
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Researchers conducted interviews with 42 primary care physicians who practiced in underserved and non-underserved settings in Los Angeles County. Twenty-eight of those physicians, or 67 percent of the survey pool, said the closure of a large safety-net hospital in the county affected their practice.
According to the study, the three common themes in repercussions on PCPs were:
• "Reduced local access to specialist consultations, direct hospital admissions and timely emergency department evaluation;
• More patient delays in care and worse health outcomes because of poor patient understanding of the healthcare system changes; and
• Loss of colleagues and opportunities to teach residents and medical students."
The study found the hospital's closure affected physicians more than 20 miles away from the facility.
Researchers suggest PCPs be informed and consulted when a major change to the healthcare system is planned.
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