In workday race, doctors scramble, but clock often wins

Physicians say they have less quality time with patients, but many are also taking steps to improve the situation.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. June 16, 2003.

Time is not on his side.

David Ellington, MD, hustles to keep up with the pace of modern medicine, making sure his visits with patients cover the growing recommendations for preventive services, putting to use new diagnostic and treatment methods, plowing through managed care paperwork and juggling enough patients to offset dropping reimbursements.

"There are just so many things you need to address now. The volume of information out there is expanding exponentially. It's tough to keep up," said Dr. Ellington, a family physician in Lexington, Va.

Dr. Ellington struggles to get sufficient time with his patients. Other doctors do, too. A new study of physicians and patients shows complaints of inadequate time have increased since five years ago. And physicians are trying to compensate.

Doctors spent about two more hours a week on patient care in 2001 than in 1997, according to the study, released in May by the Center for Studying Health System Change. And the proportion of time physicians devoted to direct patient care activities grew from 81% to 86% during the same five years.

But it's still not enough, doctors say. In 2001, 34% of physicians reported inadequate time with patients -- up from 28% in 1997, the study said.

There are several factors behind the time crunch, the study found: Medical advances translate to more treatment options; people are living longer with chronic illnesses; experts recommend doctors provide more preventive services.