Urgent Care Clinics -- Taking on the Primary Care Overflow in Health Care
From: Karen Brown
Length: 05:21
The Massachusetts Medical Society announced a shortage of primary care doctors in the state – for the fourth straight year. It’s a nationwide problem that some say is underscored in Massachusetts. That’s because approximately 400,000 newly insured residents are competing for a shrinking pool of doctors. But many of those people are still getting care -- in less obvious settings. Karen Brown profiles one walk-in clinic that's treating the primary care overflow.
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
The Massachusetts Medical Society announced a shortage of primary care doctors in the state – for the fourth straight year. It’s a nationwide problem that some say is underscored in Massachusetts. That’s because approximately 400,000 newly insured residents are competing for a shrinking pool of doctors. But many of those people are still getting care -- in less obvious settings. Karen Brown profiles one walk-in clinic that's treating the primary care overflow.
Broadcast History
aired on WFCR in Amherst, MA in October 2009
Transcript
DENISE GAGNIER HAS FELT MISERABLE FOR DAYS. SHE CAN'T KEEP FOOD DOWN, SHE HAS A FEVER. SO THIS MORNING SHE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO GET CHECKED OUT BY HER REGULAR DOCTOR.
[CutID:
Time: 6s
Title: urgent ax - primary care didn't
Out-cue: ]
AX (DENISE) My primary care doctor didn’t have any urgent care appointments open, and they sent me here.
HERE -- BEING THE FAMILY CARE MEDICAL CENTER -- A STAND-ALONE URGENT-CARE CLINIC IN SPRINGFIELD'S FOREST PARK NEIGHBORHOOD. GAGNIER IS WEARING A MEDICAL GOWN AND SITTING ON AN EXAM TABLE, WHEN DOCTOR IRA HELFAND WALKS IN, AND STARTS TO ASK ABOUT HER RECENT HISTORY.
[CutID:
Time: 20s
Title: urgent amb - got sick1
Description: urgent amb - got sick1
Out-cue: ]
Amb: ‘ok, so you got sick when?” ‘on Monday..’ ‘and you’re still nauseated?’
THIS IS GAGNIER'S FIRST VISIT TO THE CL...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
5:21, plus introduction
Intro and Outro
INTRO:The Massachusetts Medical Society announced a shortage of primary care doctors in the state – for the fourth straight year. It’s a nationwide problem that some say is underscored in Massachusetts. That’s because approximately 400,000 newly insured residents are competing for a shrinking pool of doctors. But many of those people are still getting care -- in less obvious settings. Karen Brown profiles one walk-in clinic that's treating the primary care overflow.
OUTRO:Additional Credits
Editor: Jill Kaufman
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