The nation is facing a physician shortage, specifically in relation to primary care and in rural underserved areas. The most basic function of a medical school is to educate physicians to care for the national population. The purpose of this study was to examine the physician practicing characteristics of the graduates of East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine including factors that influence graduates’ specialty choices and practice locations, especially those related to primary care. Secondary data for this study were collected from the college’s student database system and the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. The study population included all living graduates with Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees who graduated from 1998 through 2009 (n=678). Statistical procedures included Pearson Chi-square, logistic regression, independent t tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression. Data analyses revealed that the majority of graduates were between 24 and 29 years of age, male, white, non-Hispanic, and from metropolitan hometowns. Most had completed the generalist track and initially entered a primary care residency training program. The majority passed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 on the first attempt. The USMLE Step 2-CK average was 212.50. The average cumulative GPA was 3.44. Graduates were nearly evenly divided between primary care and nonprimary care practice, with the majority practicing in metropolitan areas. Graduates who initially entered primary care residency training were more likely to practice primary care medicine than those who entered nonprimary care programs; however, fewer graduates were practicing primary care than had entered primary care residency training. Graduates who attended internal medicine residency training were less likely to be practicing primary care medicine than those who attended family medicine, pediatrics, or OB/GYN programs. Women and Rural Primary Care Track graduates were significantly more likely to practice primary care than were men and generalist track graduates, respectively. Nonprimary care physicians had significantly higher USMLE Step 2-CK scores than did primary care physicians (PCPs). PCPs practiced in more rural locales than non-PCPs. Family physician graduates tended to practice in more rural locales than OB/GYNs or pediatricians. Hometown location predicted practice location over and above medical school track.

Yes / The Primary Care Patient Measure of Safety (PC PMOS) is designed to capture patient feedback about the contributing factors to patient safety incidents in primary care. It required further reliability and validity testing to produce a robust tool intended to improve safety in practice. Method 490 adult patients in nine primary care practices in Greater Manchester, UK, completed the PC PMOS. Practice staff (n = 81) completed a survey on patient safety culture to assess convergent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed the construct validity and internal reliability of the PC PMOS domains and items. A multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to assess discriminant validity, and Spearman correlation was conducted to establish test–retest reliability. Results Initial CFA results showed data did not fit the model well (a chi-square to df ratio (CMIN/DF) = 5.68; goodness-of-fit index (GFI) = 0.61, CFI = 0.57, SRMR = 0.13  and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.10). On the basis of large modification indices (>10), standardised residuals >± 2.58 and assessment of item content; 22 items were removed. This revised nine-factor model (28 items) was found to fit the data satisfactorily (CMIN/DF = 2.51; GFI = 0.87, CFI = 0.91, SRMR = 0.04  and RMSEA = 0.05). New factors demonstrated good internal reliability with average inter-item correlations ranging from 0.20 to 0.70. The PC PMOS demonstrated good discriminant validity between primary care practices (F = 2.64, df = 72, p < 0.001) and showed some association with practice staff safety score (convergent validity) but failed to reach statistical significance (r = −0.64, k = 9, p = 0.06). Conclusion This study led to a reliable and valid 28-item PC PMOS. It could enhance or complement current data collection methods used in primary care to identify and prevent error. / NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.

The purpose of this study was to examine the practicing characteristics of graduates of a college of medicine with a rural primary care mission, including influences on graduates' specialty choices and practice locations. Secondary data analyses were conducted on student records and AMA Physician Masterfile data. Fewer graduates were practicing primary care than had entered primary care training. Graduates who attended internal medicine residency training were less likely to be practicing primary care medicine than those who attended other primary care programs. Women and rural track graduates were significantly more likely to practice primary care than were men and generalist track graduates, respectively. Primary care physicians (PCPs) were practicing in more rural locales than non-PCPs. Family physicians tended to practice in the most rural locales. FMDRL_ID: 4822

This dissertation examines the factors that have the most significant impact on the pace of change in the primary care (PC) sector in Ontario. In Canada, there have been many attempts to improve the PC system through the introduction of a variety of primary care reform (PCR) models. Some say that there is insufficient movement in the PC sector and that it is in a policy gridlock. Others assert that substantial progress has been made and that transformational change is proceeding. This dissertation demonstrates that PCR – the movement from PC to some form of primary health care (PHC) – is multi-dimensional and complex. It identifies the multiple dimensions of PHC and demonstrates that each dimension has implications for the structural relationships between the state and the medical association in the PC sector in Ontario. The framework for this dissertation was derived from three bodies of literature: PC/PHC, neo-institutionalism and professional autonomy. The research design used involves qualitative and quantitative methods, including historical analysis, document analysis, key informant interviews and qualitative data. The case study of PCR in Ontario demonstrates that while there have been some changes in the methods of physician payment and in the organization and delivery of PC, the majority of PCR models have not fundamentally altered the underlying institutional and structural relationships that characterize the sector. This includes the profession’s ability to control the political, economic and clinical aspects of care. Thus, the PCR models that propose the greatest amount of reform – those that alter structural relationships between the state and the medical association in a manner that results in a significant impact on the balance of power in the PC sector- are less likely to be adopted by physicians. This dissertation corroborates that the PCR models that have the greatest impact on professional autonomy are those that remain at the margins of the health care system, whereas the models that have little or no impact on autonomy have been more readily adopted.

This dissertation examines the factors that have the most significant impact on the pace of change in the primary care (PC) sector in Ontario. In Canada, there have been many attempts to improve the PC system through the introduction of a variety of primary care reform (PCR) models. Some say that there is insufficient movement in the PC sector and that it is in a policy gridlock. Others assert that substantial progress has been made and that transformational change is proceeding. This dissertation demonstrates that PCR – the movement from PC to some form of primary health care (PHC) – is multi-dimensional and complex. It identifies the multiple dimensions of PHC and demonstrates that each dimension has implications for the structural relationships between the state and the medical association in the PC sector in Ontario. The framework for this dissertation was derived from three bodies of literature: PC/PHC, neo-institutionalism and professional autonomy. The research design used involves qualitative and quantitative methods, including historical analysis, document analysis, key informant interviews and qualitative data. The case study of PCR in Ontario demonstrates that while there have been some changes in the methods of physician payment and in the organization and delivery of PC, the majority of PCR models have not fundamentally altered the underlying institutional and structural relationships that characterize the sector. This includes the profession’s ability to control the political, economic and clinical aspects of care. Thus, the PCR models that propose the greatest amount of reform – those that alter structural relationships between the state and the medical association in a manner that results in a significant impact on the balance of power in the PC sector- are less likely to be adopted by physicians. This dissertation corroborates that the PCR models that have the greatest impact on professional autonomy are those that remain at the margins of the health care system, whereas the models that have little or no impact on autonomy have been more readily adopted.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explore how primary care registered nurses address unmet social needs in patients. SPECIFIC AIMS Explore how RNs in a safety-net, primary care setting develop an awareness of and address patient's unmet social needs. Describe how information about unmet social needs are integrated into nursing assessment and intervention activities, and are shared with other members of the health care team. Describe the challenges primary care RNs face when addressing unmet social needs. FRAMEWORK Critical caring theory provided the framework for this study. DESIGN This study used a descriptive, qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen nurses working in 11 different safety-net primary care clinics within a hospital-based system. RESULTS Three major themes emerged. Key findings included the importance of the nurse-patient relationship, the establishment of trust, and a caring, nonjudgmental approach to patients with unmet social needs. Nurses used knowledge of unmet needs to coordinate patient care, provide social support, and work collaboratively with care team members to refer patients to resources within the health care system and in the community. CONCLUSION Unmet social needs contribute to adverse health outcomes, and addressing social and medical needs is critical to eliminating health inequities and reducing health care costs. In this study, primary care nurses described relationships with patients that allowed for the sharing of sensitive information, leading the nurse to identify and address unmet social needs that could impact patient health.

No description available.

Patients who have chronic diseases are often readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of being discharged. In the United States preventable hospital readmissions cost approximately $12-$17.4 billion annually. The Institute of Healthcare Improvement [IHI] has identified one key measure for reducing preventable readmissions and that is a timely post hospital follow-up visit. Although this seems to be a simple task, studies have revealed that as many as one-third of patients discharged from the hospital are not following up with their primary care provider. In North Dakota the percentages of patients with chronic diseases such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type 2 diabetes, and pneumonia have steadily increased over the last several years. A North Dakota critical access hospital report revealed a high percentage of patients with a chronic disease are being readmitted within 30 days. Identifying barriers to care in North Dakota can help to reduce the rate of readmission within the state. This study seeks to identify perceived barriers as observed by primary care nurse practitioners to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital readmission rates.

This study describes primary care nurse practitioner (PCNP) beliefs in, knowledge, implementation and utilization of evidence based practice (EBP). Research questions answered are: 1. What are the levels of belief, implementation, knowledge and utilization of EBP among PCNPs? 2. Is there a relationship with PCNP demographics (personal, professional, and practice), belief, knowledge, implementation and utilization of EBP? 3. Do PCNP demographics (personal, professional, and practice) and scores on belief, knowledge and implementation influence EBP utilization? EBP is considered a standard of care and essential to nurse practitioner practice. The primary advantages of EBP include improved quality of care through the utilization of patient resources, provider resources and experiences, current research and scientific information. However, few studies describe nurse practitioner beliefs, knowledge in EBP and the extent to which this may affect primary care nurse practitioners' (PCNP) utilization of EBP in their practice. Four questionnaires incorporated into one survey were used to examine PCNP beliefs, knowledge, implementation and utilization of EBP. JNC7 guideline knowledge and self-reported use was used to measure EBP utilization. A convenience sample of 202 FNPs, ANPs and GNPs were obtained during the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Conference 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. PCNPs surveyed were found to have a high level of belief in EBP but did not report implementing EBP more than 3 times in the past 8 weeks. Belief was statistically higher in doctorally prepared PCNPs. Ninety-five percent of the participants were familiar with the JNC7 guideline but the group scored a mean of 69% on knowledge of JNC7 guideline specifics. Only 25% of respondents indicated they utilized guidelines in hypertension management. Future studies should include quantitative and qualitative evaluation of EBP implementation facilitators and obstacles. Findings in this study have provided initial information to better understand PCNPs and EBP.