Ratio of Primary Care Clinician to Patient
Current Value
1,623
Definition
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Bar
Story Behind the Curve
Duplin County saw a decrease in the ratio of primary care clinicians to patient in 2019 at 1:1449 and an increase in 2020 to 1:1637. 2021 showed a very slight decrease to 1:1623. As with many other geographic locations, Duplin County has seen an increase in people living with chronic diseases and an overall growth in population, which are contributing factors to the rise in ratios seen for 2020 and 2021.
What's helping:
- Increase in diversity of providers due to various factors (specialty, cost of education, etc.) entering work force
- Workforce development initiatives
What's hurting:
- Competitive pay with surrounding geographic locations
- Rural economy
- Providers and potential providers may be unaware of incentives offered
Partners
ECU Health Duplin Hospital
Duplin County Health Department
Goshen Medical Center
Medfirst Primary and Urgent Care
Local primary care providers
Duplin County government body
DHHS-NC Loan Repayment Program
What Works
- Increased telehealth opportunities for remote providers
- Rural residency program through ECU Health Duplin
- Increased awareness of current incentives offered
- More resources to help students who desire to become providers afford their education
- Career fairs-educating students on the need for primary care providers and clear academic pathway plans offered
Strategy
- Build relationships with community partners to create increased access for telehealth for patients to be seen by primary care providers virtually
- Increase provider/facility participation in county career fairs; educate students on the need for primary care clinicians and how to start that journey
- Continue to work with county governing bodies to invest in rural economies
- Increase incentives for current and potential providers
Progress in 2022-2023
2022:
- Changes made to the NC Loan Repayment Program changing some of the eligibility requirements for sites that were once exempt
2023:
- ECU Health makes plans to open a new multidiscinplinary clinic in Duplin County that offers 2 new primary care providers in 2024
- Duplin County Health Department offers educational reimbursement for providers who have obtained a bachelors or master's degree or are in the process of achieving said degree