Here’s how the primary care shortage is driving up emergency department use.

A recent study reported by the Boston Globe found that despite 92 percent of patients having a primary care provider, use of emergency services continued to rise. 14 percent said that they went to the ED once in the past year for problems that could have been treated by their regular doctors. That’s important, since care in the ED is often the most expensive.

Apparently, the higher co-pays weren’t enough of a deterrent, as patients cited the convenience factor, saying that they would be “seen right away,” and can “get faster test results.”

Curbing ED use is key to containing health spending. Making primary care more convenient for patients, by expediting tests and improving access, is a major way we can accomplish that.

topics: emergency, costs