Future doctors in Missouri hoping to combat primary care physician shortage

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The state of Missouri mirrors most of the country when it comes down to a need for primary care doctors. According to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, all but three counties in the state of Missouri are considered a primary care shortage area.

Platte, Clay, and Cass Counties are the exceptions in the state where adequate care is available. As a result, studies report only 20 percent of the state’s primary care needs are being met.

“It’s sad that there is a shortage but I do understand why,” said KCU medical student Biwy Cadet.

Cadet says she is working toward becoming a pediatrician.

“One, primary care doctors are not compensated as well as they should be and also the terms of getting into school, even the people who have the passion, it’s hard to get into school, or even graduating from med school itself,” she said.

According to the American Association of Osteopathic Medicine, it all boils down to the way these positions are recruited and retained.

“When we look at the reimbursement system in healthcare today there are some challenges in terms of the high rewards that often go to specialists and not as much reward to the primary care physicians,” said AACOM CEO Dr. Cain.

According to  a 2022 study from MedScape, PCPs make an average of $260,000 while specialists are pocketing at least $368,000 annually. This is why medical student Kahlan Jones says she is focusing her studies on dermatology.

“A lot of primary care physicians work long hours, they see a lot of patients in a day and they don’t get compensated as they’re rightfully owed I feel,” said Jones.

Her plan after graduation is to stay local to Kansas City and be part of bridging the gap to access for its diverse population.

“I feel like there’s such a shortage of representation and healthcare and that’s one of the reasons that’s driving me to stay here in Kansas City,” said Jones.

AACOM says it is hoping to see more federal and state funding that supports medical care being brought into underserved and rural areas. They also have a vision of more compensation and incentives to recruit doctors to establish care in these areas. The American Osteopathic Association is a non-profit organization advocating for these policies.

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