In 2022, the U.S. surgeon general issued an advisory defining physician burnout as an urgent public health issue.¹ The advisory recommended prioritizing care-seeking strategies and basic health habits for physicians. One such habit is regularly following up with a primary care physician.

Physicians face both individual and systemic barriers to seeking primary care. This article examines the literature on physicians’ access to primary care physicians, identifies common barriers, and offers potential solutions.

WHY PHYSICIANS NEED THEIR OWN PHYSICIAN

Regular access to a primary care physician can improve physician wellness by ensuring that any physical and mental health issues are being addressed in a timely fashion. Currently, more than 300 physicians die by suicide each year, and many more suffer from depression and anxiety.² The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in mental health and substance use visits among physicians, contributing to an increased need for access to mental health services.³ Yet, among physicians who identified as having depression, only 25% considered getting help and only 2% received it.⁴