PCPs often not meeting needs of seniors with chronic conditions

(HealthDay)—Most primary care physicians (PCPs) report being unable to adequately address the needs of patients with multiple chronic conditions, according to a report published by Quest Diagnostics.

A total of 801 PCPs who care for Medicare patients with multiple chronic conditions and adults aged 65 years and older with multiple chronic conditions were surveyed.

According to the report, PCPs feel overwhelmed and overworked. Eighty-six percent report feeling unable to address the needs of chronic care patients adequately; 28 percent say this happens often. The key factor for 85 percent of physicians is lack of time. Ninety-five percent of those surveyed say that they entered primary care to care for the whole patient, but 66 percent report not having time to address social and behavioral issues that could impact patient health. Only 9 percent of physicians are very satisfied that their patients are receiving all the necessary attention to care for their medical issues. Patients have many concerns that they are not sharing with their physicians, including worrying about getting new medical conditions (43 percent); 19 percent of patients say they struggle to stay on top of their medical issues and need more help.

"Our survey findings show that PCPs desperately want to deliver high quality care, but they feel they are failing their patients with the most complex care needs," Jeffrey Dlott, M.D., from Quest Diagnostics, said in a statement.

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