The primary role: how the availability of primary care physicians affects diabetes care management.

This article discusses how the primary care physician shortage impacts health outcomes, specifically diabetes. The effect of the availability of primary care physicians on diabetes care management is examined by assessing primary care physician-to-population ratios and comparing those ratios against evidence-based medicine preventive practices for diabetes care. A discussion is included as to how the Patient-Centered Medical Home model can greatly contribute to primary care success through better care delivery implementation methods.