Dear Editor,
I would like to share my thoughts on the article titled “Supply of primary care physicians: a key strategy to reduce population mortality” by Cho [
1]. This study provides a thorough exploration of the essential role primary care physicians play in decreasing population mortality rates. As you aptly stated, “Primary care is a key component of an effective and efficient national healthcare system,” and Cho [
1] skillfully underscores the significance of ensuring an ample supply of primary care physicians to improve population health outcomes.
The careful examination by Cho [
1] of current literature and factual data clearly illustrates how primary care physicians can help reduce death rates. He highlights the significance of primary care services in lowering mortality rates across various demographic groups by outlining their vital roles in early detection of health issues, chronic illness treatment, and preventive care. Understanding these contributions is crucial for advocating the expanded involvement of primary care physicians in the global healthcare system.
Furthermore, the observations by Cho [
1] offer insightful advice for legislators and healthcare stakeholders when addressing population health issues. He emphasizes the significance of resource allocation and staff planning to support evidencebased policy interventions aimed at increasing primary care capacity. The suggestions by Cho [
1] for enhancing medical education, rewarding primary care, and encouraging interdisciplinary teamwork are particularly pertinent in the Philippines, where disparities can be attributed to poverty and environmental injustice [
2].
While the article by Cho [
1] provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence supporting the association between primary care physician supply and population mortality, your call for further research to elucidate the causal mechanisms and explore differential impacts among vulnerable populations is well-founded. In the Philippine context, where disparities in healthcare access and outcomes persist, such research could provide crucial insights for tailoring interventions to address the specific needs of marginalized communities.
In summary, the study by Cho [
1] significantly advances our knowledge of population health and healthcare workforce planning. Through a thorough analysis of the functions of primary care physicians and practical suggestions, Cho [
1] emphasized the need to prioritize the supply of primary care physicians in public health policy. This finding has implications for various settings, including the Philippines.
Notes
References
- 1. Cho YG. Supply of primary care physicians: a key strategy to reduce population mortality. Korean J Fam Med 2024;45:59-60.
- 2. Banaag M, Dayrit MM, Mendoza RU. Health inequity in the Philippines. In: Banaag M, Dayrit MM, Mendoza RU, editors. Disease, human health, and regional growth and development in Asia. Singapore: Springer Nature; 2019. p. 163-74.
Figure & Data
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- Primary Care Physicians’ Important Role: Lifestyle Modification for Chronic Disease Management
Su-Min Jeong
Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2024; 45(5): 237. CrossRef
