Tackling primary care and physician shortages at the U of A Scottsdale Center
Arizona Chamber of Commerce's Courtney Coolidge (left) facilitates a panel to discuss the primary care physician shortage. The panel included (from left) economist Jim Rounds, benefits consultant Jennifer Farrell and Freeport-McMoRan Global Medical Director Dr. Richard Vinroot.
Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The University of Arizona Scottsdale Center was the backdrop for an engaging Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry policy series session focusing on Arizona's primary care physician shortage that drew more than 90 stakeholders, including legislators, health care industry executives, higher education institutions and private sector companies.
The session began with a welcome from Brittney Kaufmann of the Health System Alliance of Arizona (HSAAZ). Dr. Dan Derksen of the University of Arizona Center for Rural Health provided a data-rich overview of the issue and its impacts on businesses, health care and communities. Arizona Chamber Executive Vice President Courtney Coolidge then moderated a panel addressing the problems associated with Arizona's current situation; the panelists included local benefits consultant Jennifer Farrell, economist Jim Rounds and Freeport-McMoRan Global Medical Director Dr. Richard Vinroot.
After acknowledging that the statistics related to the dwindling number of primary care physicians look bleak, Rounds was optimistic. "There is a path forward – it's not insurmountable," he said. He added that it's important that we provide a solid prospectus showing that if we invest in graduate medical education as a community, we'll generate the economic return.
A panel focused on potential solutions was facilitated by Derksen and featured Honor Health CEO (and U of A alum) Todd LaPorte, GME Development Specialist Charlie Alfero and Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH) CEO Wendy Armendáriz.
The bottom line is that a healthy workforce boosts productivity, enhances workplace morale and drives economic growth, and our primary care physician shortage has a direct correlation. Addressing the problem has far-reaching benefits, extending beyond health care to strengthen communities, improve quality of life and make Arizona a more appealing place to live and work. Tackling this challenge requires collaboration across the business, health care, education and nonprofit sectors.
In addition to being sponsored by the Arizona Chamber, the event was organized by HSAAZ with the Arizona Medical Association and the University of Arizona Scottsdale Center.
Dr. Dan Derksen provides an overview of the primary physician shortage at the Arizona Chamber Policy Series event.