Primary care evolving under ACA

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions more Americans will have health insurance. But will there be enough doctors to take care of them?

Pamela Harold has diabetes. She's a patient at Jefferson Family Medicine, but on most of her visits, she doesn't see a doctor. Most often, she sees a diabetes educator, Emma Byrd. That's an example of how primary care will evolve under the ACA.

Dr. Thomas Rosenthal said, "There will be other members of the team with the specific credentials to address whatever that particular need is at the moment for the patient."

Dr. Rosenthal is chair of UB's Department of Family Medicine. He sees patients at Jefferson Family Medicine. But, like most busy physicians, he can't spend as much time as it would take to address all a patient's needs.

"It really requires a lifestyle change, and so you need a coach for that, and that's what a diabetic educator is, is really a coach," Dr. Rosenthal explained.

And it works. Patients do better

Emma Byrd said, "A lot of it was a lack of understanding. Once they had some knowledge, they could make better choices and it also helped them to control their blood sugar."

Harold noted, "The main thing is that she gives me the power to take care of myself, which keeps me out of the doctor's office when it comes to my diabetes."

And Byrd is available when needed.

"Sometimes I get off track and I'm able to correct it on my own, but sometimes I need a little help, and I can call Emma, or I can come to the clinic," said Harold.

The future of primary care has already begun.