State funding addresses Big Isle doctor shortage

The state has released $1.8 million to train more primary care physicians in an attempt to alleviate a shortage of more than 30 percent on the Big Island.

The funds go toward the Hilo Medical Center’s primary care training program that will prepare a dozen new residents over three years to enter the field.

The program, which begins in July at the Hawaii Island Family Center, will train primary care doctors in a team-based model to lead a group of advanced nurse practitioners, clinical pharmacists and behavioral specialists.

So-called patient-centered medical homes are cropping up as one solution to primary care shortages nationwide. The group model is based on shared responsibility among providers to improve patient outcomes.

The general fund appropriation to Hawaii Health Systems Corp., parent company of Hilo Medical Center, will pay for faculty, resident costs, clinic space and other operating expenses.

"These funds support a residency program which will recruit, train and retain primary care physicians for the Big Island, helping to keep our local talent at home," said Acting Gov. Shan Tsu­tsui, who released the funds this week.

The latest University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine "Hawaii Physician Workforce Assessment Project" showed a 34 percent shortage on the Big Island, with 341 doctors in supply compared with 514 physicians in demand. By comparison, the shortage statewide was 18 percent, or 2,955 physicians in supply versus 3,590 physicians in demand, the report said, concluding the insufficient numbers of doctors were especially severe in primary care.

"I am excited that this critical appropriation has been authorized, which we have fought for as a Big Island community for years," said Sen. Josh Green (D, Kona-Kau), also an emergency room doctor at Kohala Hospital. "This program is a direct solution for our neighbor island physician shortage and will improve many peoples’ lives in our community."

Howard Ainsley, HHSC’s East Hawaii Region chief executive officer, said the subsidy will help the hospital through the accreditation process this fall as well as help it launch the training program in the spring and welcome its first class of residents in the summer.