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

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

• 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

• 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

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