Primary care has long been the cornerstone of healthcare, providing individuals with a trusted point of contact for preventative care, chronic disease management and overall wellness. Traditionally, this care is delivered in hospitals, clinics and private practices. But as healthcare needs evolve and the primary care physician shortage continues to grow, it’s critical to rethink where and how primary care is provided.

Recently, a panel of healthcare executives at the HLTH 2024 annual event in Las Vegas discussed if the experiment of bringing primary care to retailers, like Walgreens and CVS, proves that “traditional” healthcare settings are the only environments where primary care can succeed. As reported by MedCity News, the experts agreed that primary care can — and should — exist outside the traditional healthcare setting.

Highmark Health Chief Medical and Clinical Transformation Officer Tony Farah said primary care needs to evolve to meet patients’ continually transforming preferences. “They want on-demand care. They want convenient care, and they want it yesterday. Think about your most preferred app, whether it’s Amazon or something else — people are now conditioned to have different expectations,” he said.

Expanding primary care beyond these traditional settings not only improves access and convenience but may also provide relief to the nationwide shortage of primary care physicians. Additionally, physicians who retrain as primary care doctors play a key role in meeting this demand, helping to bridge the gap and bring care to underserved populations.

Addressing the Primary Care Physician Shortage

The U.S. is facing a growing shortage of primary care physicians, exacerbated by an aging population, increased demand for healthcare services, more physicians leaving the practice due to burnout and retirement and fewer medical graduates choosing primary care. This shortage directly impacts patients’ ability to access timely, quality care.

By expanding primary care services outside of traditional settings — into workplaces, schools, community centers and digital platforms — the healthcare system can alleviate the strain on existing primary care practices and improve access for patients in both urban and rural areas.

For example, telehealth services enable primary care physicians, including those who have retrained, to deliver care remotely, expanding their reach to patients who might otherwise struggle to see a doctor due to geographic barriers or busy schedules. Similarly, mobile health units and workplace clinics bring care directly to patients, reducing the need for time-consuming visits to a traditional office setting.

Meeting Patients Where They Are

Another critical advantage of expanding primary care into non-traditional settings is the ability to meet patients where they are — both physically and emotionally. Many individuals, especially those managing chronic conditions or with mobility issues, may find it challenging to make regular visits to a doctor’s office. Home-based primary care offers an alternative by allowing physicians to visit patients in the comfort of their homes. Physicians who retrain as primary care providers are often well-suited for this kind of patient-centered care, bringing a holistic approach to treating patients in familiar surroundings.

Additionally, by integrating primary care services into schools, community centers and other public spaces, healthcare can be more proactive in reaching populations who may avoid traditional healthcare settings due to cultural, financial or social barriers. This is particularly important in promoting preventative care and early intervention, two critical components of effective primary care.

Physicians Retraining as Primary Care Doctors: A Critical Solution

In response to the growing demand for primary care, many physicians from other specialties are choosing to retrain as primary care doctors. These professionals bring valuable expertise from fields like internal medicine, pediatrics or even surgery, enriching the primary care landscape with their broad skill set. As primary care expands into workplaces, schools, digital platforms and homes, these retrained physicians help ensure that high-quality care is available wherever patients need it most. These non-traditional care settings also offer opportunities for physicians who want to practice primary care in different and varied venues.

Their willingness to adapt and focus on primary care is not just a response to the physician shortage but a proactive approach to healthcare transformation. By embracing non-traditional care settings, retrained primary care physicians are at the forefront of creating a more accessible, flexible and patient-centered healthcare system.