The narrative of family medicine in 2018 was defined by a paradox: never had the specialty been more essential to population health, yet never had the practice environment felt more inhospitable. This paper explores the key factors that shaped family practice in 2018, highlighting how the specialty began shifting from a model of isolated physician autonomy toward collaborative, team-based structures to ensure survival and relevance.
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) was in full effect. In 2018, family practices navigated: family practice 2018
: Research in 2018 challenged the routine use of low-dose aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), suggesting that for many patients, the bleeding risks outweighed the benefits. The narrative of family medicine in 2018 was
The burnout rates in 2018 had tangible workforce consequences. Reports indicated that a significant percentage of family physicians planned to cut back on hours, retire early, or leave practice altogether. This occurred at a time when the projected shortage of primary care physicians was estimated to be between 14,800 and 49,300 by 2025. The "revolving door" of primary care providers disrupted continuity of care, leading to poorer patient outcomes and increased costs, as patients frequently had to re-establish care with new providers. In 2018, family practices navigated: : Research in
Note: This write-up is based on data and publications from 2018, including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) annual meeting reports, MGMA compensation surveys, and contemporary health policy analyses from the Robert Graham Center and Commonwealth Fund.
HIMSA