As Primary Care Shortage Looms Nationally, Newton-Wellesley Hospital Sees Growth, Adds 8 Primary Care Physicians

According to a report released last year by the Association of American Medical Colleges, a shortfall of between 12,500 and 31,100 primary care physicians is expected by 2025. These projections are startling, even as open enrollment kicks off in workplaces across the country and employees in the Boston area are looking to enroll in new health plans and find new primary care physicians for themselves and their families.

But Newton-Wellesley Hospital (NWH) hopes to make this daunting process a little bit easier for the communities it serves. NWH has recently added eight new primary care physicians who are now accepting new patients in the following towns: Natick, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Walpole, Wellesley and Weston. The hospital is currently in talks with additional PCPs who will come on board in early 2017.

“In an increasingly challenging healthcare environment where PCPs accepting new patients are difficult to find, Newton-Wellesley has been able to recruit eight new primary care physicians over the last year,” said Nick Mascoli, MD, Medical Director for Primary Care, Newton-Wellesley Hospital. “And that means better access to affordable and cost effective care.” Plans are also underway to open an ambulatory care center at 978 Worcester Road, Wellesley (on the Natick line) in mid to late December. This new location will offer primary care, specialty care, phlebotomy and x-ray services.

“We are seeing that primary care physicians really want to practice at NWH,” said Dr. Mascoli. “They love the culture, they are familiar with our outstanding reputation, and oftentimes they are raising families themselves and enjoy the idea of living and working close to home, in their own community.”

Dr. Mascoli recommends that patients do their research when looking for a new doctor. “Talk to family, friends and neighbors. Ask about a physician’s board certifications, training and special clinical interests and expertise. Does the physician use a secure messaging portal?”

Location and office hours are also important to consider, as is the physician’s hospital affiliation and specialist referral network. “If a patient needs to be hospitalized at some point, he/she wants to make sure that they are being admitted to a hospital they know and trust.”

Dr. Mascoli also advises prospective patients to inquire about the involvement of nurse practitioners or physician’s assistants in the practice. “These clinicians can provide longer visits, more openings and enhanced patient education.” Another consideration should be a physician’s philosophy of care, especially as it relates to a patient’s preferences.

“The bottom line is to do your homework ahead of time to ensure the best fit,” added Dr. Mascoli. “Physician referral services are a great place to start. The staff is very knowledgeable and can provide the background information needed to select a primary care provider.”

CareFinder, Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s physician referral and information specialists, offers three easy and convenient ways to find a primary care physician:

1. Use our Find a Physician online search tool to browse available physicians.
2. Fill out our CareFinder Online Form and a representative will contact you within 24 hours, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
3. Call 617-243-6566 or toll free 866-NWH-DOCS (694-3627) Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm EST to speak to a CareFinder representative.

One other option to assist people in choosing a primary care physician is to view physician video bios at http://www.nwh.org/departments-and-services/primarycare/videos/. These brief bios provide a snapshot of the physician’s background and help prospective patients connect on a more personal level.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital is a member of Partners HealthCare, a network founded by Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. This Partners affiliation allows us to provide patients with seamless accessibility to the finest community-based medicine as well as the most advanced specialty care in the world. Through multiple collaborations with Massachusetts General Hospital, MassGeneral Hospital for Children and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Hospital offers patients access to various centers of excellence.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital provides a wide range of services, including medical, surgical, obstetrical, orthopaedic, neonatal, pediatric and psychiatric care. Newton-Wellesley has been serving its community for over a century. The medical staff of the Hospital includes nearly 1,000 physicians practicing a full range of specialties. NWH is a major teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine and also has established post-graduate training programs for Harvard Medical School residents.