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Long Island's Primary Care Doctor Shortage Expected To Worsen In Next 10 Years, Research Finds
NEW YORK -- Many doctors across Long Island are seeing they just don't have enough time in their days to keep up with demand, and new research shows it could get worse in the next 10 years.
Northwell Health research claims the United States and Long Island are both facing a primary care doctor shortage. Its numbers claim by 2034, America could be dealing with a deficiency of around 48,000 doctors.
"That is 72 million people throughout the U.S. That will be without a doctor," said Dr. Lauren Block, general internist at Northwell Health.
Dr. Block is the senior author of the findings, which stem from the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.
Her research shows the number of residents choosing general internal medicine has halved in the last 10 years. She says a way to avoid the shortage is to increase pay for primary care doctors, offer college-debt relief and a schedule that allows for better work-life balance.
"Locally, what we have been noting is that we are having a hard time finding general internists to replace our doctors who are retiring," said Dr. Block. "More people are going to work in hospital medicine and other areas that pay more."
"It takes a least three months to get an appointment," said Christine Faherty, of Huntington."Whoever gives me the quickest appt is what I take."
Other medical experts say that's where people may end up too if primary care does start to fade away, leaving them with limited options.
"It makes access to health care much more difficult, and patients up typically going to emergency room," said Dr. Susannah Hills, assistant professor at Columbia University Medical Center. "They just don't have that relationship, that continuity that they have with primary care provider."
Experts say the elderly are most at risk.
Census data form 2020, shows Long Island's overall median age rose two years higher than it was a decade ago, to 42 years old. That surpasses the state and national median age.
So with the island's population aging rapidly, economists fear demand for doctors could grow faster than supply.
"We have to focus on how we can prepare workforce, particularly on the medical side, to meet the aging population group," said David Vitt, associate professor with the Department of Economics at Farmingdale State College.
Experts say to get ahead of this, people should start to get to know a few different doctors in their area, or different partners within a practice. This will give them options, if one is booked.
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John DiasNew Doctors, Health Providers Join Tri-Cities And Prosser Practices
Tri-Cities and Prosser have new options for health care services, including a cancer doctor who has moved practices, a midwife and palliative care advanced registered nurse practitioner.
Oncologist relocates in Benton CountyDr. Amer Khouri, a board certified hematologist oncologist, has relocated his practice from Kennewick to Prosser.
He was one of two oncologists who left Trios Health in Kennewick over the summer.
Astria Health said Khouri has begun seeing patients, including from the Tri-Cities, at the Astria Health Center in Prosser and the Astria Sunnyside Hospital Cancer Center.
"I am passionate about helping patients," he said. "Patients need all the support they can get, medically and emotionally, when dealing with a cancer diagnosis."
Dr. Amer Khouri
He speaks English and Spanish.
Khouri is accepting new patients by referral at Astria Health Center, 355 Chardonnay Ave., Prosser, and will be referring patients as needed to Astria Sunnyside Hospital Cancer Center, 1013 E. Edison, for infusion therapy. Primary care providers may provide referrals to Khouri.
Palliative care specialistChristopher Monk, advanced registered nurse practitioner, has returned to Heartlinks and is accepting new patients living with serious illness for palliative care in Benton and Yakima counties.
He previously worked for Heartlinks from October 2020 to December 2022.
Christopher Monk, ARPN
"Christopher's return marks a significant milestone for us, reinforcing our dedication to delivering quality palliative care that truly makes a difference in the lives of those we serve," says Shelby Moore, executive director.
He is one of two full-time palliative care ARNPs on staff to help children and adults live their best quality of life.
Palliative care, sometimes called supportive care, is distinct from hospice care. Palliative care should be initiated when an child or adult diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness begins to experience pain or symptoms related to their disease and is choosing to pursue treatment.
Monk and the palliative care team will work with patients to help manage difficult symptoms such as pain and nausea with the goal of keeping healthcare in their home, not in the emergency room.
Monk holds a bachelor's in nursing from Clarkson College in Nebraska as well as a bachelor's in education and a master's in nursing from the University of Nebraska. His experience includes running the Nebraska State Tuberculosis Program for three years, working in vascular surgery and helping patients with allergies and asthma.
Anyone can refer a patient to Heartlinks' palliative care. Call 509-837-1676 or complete the referral form at HeartlinksHospice.Org/palliative-care.
Pasco family medicine practitionerCaitlyn Uhnak, an advanced registered nurse practitioner, has joined Lourdes Family Medicine in Pasco as a family medicine practitioner.
Caitlyn Uhnak, ARNP
She received her doctor of nursing practice — family nurse practitioner degree from Washington State University in 2018.
Lourdes Family Medicine is at 7425 Wrigley Drive across from Lourdes Urgent Care, where Uhnak most recently practiced. Patients can schedule an appointment at YourLourdes.Com or call 509-416-8888.
Prosser orthopedic surgeonDr. Geoffrey Higgs, an orthopedic surgeon with 30 years experience in sports medicine, has joined Prosser Orthopedic Center.
He has been a military orthopedic surgeon, team physician for several professional and collegiate sport teams and founder of a private practice. He continues to do medical research.
Dr. Geoffrey Higgs
He earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, after receiving a bachelor's in engineering from the University of Virginia.
He changed career paths after a football injury put him in the hands of an orthopedic who gave him caring, compassionate care.
His services in Prosser include orthopedic surgery, sports medicine injuries, arthroscopic surgery, knee meniscus repair and more.
To schedule an appointment call 509-786-5599 or go to prosserhealth.Org.
Prosser certified nurse midwifeAshley Kristofzski is now practicing at Prosser Women's Health Center as a certified nurse midwife after previously working at Prosser Memorial Health as a labor and delivery nurse.
Ashley Kristofzski, certified nurse midwife
She received a master's in nursing from Pacific Lutheran University and Frontier Nursing University and holds several medical certifications, including inpatient obstetrics and advanced fetal monitoring.
As a midwife, she will be providing care for women from adolescence to menopause, including family planning and birth control, in addition to pregnancy and birthing care.
To schedule an appointment, call 509-786-0031 or go to prosserhealth.Org.
Prosser occupational physician assistantHelen Robison, a certified physician assistant, has joined the Prosser Memorial Health Occupational Medicine Clinic.
A former military medic, Helen has provided care around the United States and globally and has contributed to humanitarian projects.
Helen Robison, physician assistant
She previously worked at the Hanford nuclear site, providing occupational health care with Dr. Jacobo Rivero, who also recently joined Prosser Memorial Health.
Robison is a graduate of South Dakota State University and University of South Dakota, and she is a Department of Transportation medical examiner.
In Prosser she is providing DOT physicals, adult immunizations, employment physical exams and care for work related injuries.
To schedule an appointment, call 509-788-6030 or go to prosserhealth.Org.
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