Consistent Primary Care

Put simply, primary care is overwhelmingly associated with improved health outcomes. 

Primary care has a unique role in women’s health and well-being. From puberty through her reproductive years and into menopause, a woman’s healthcare needs – and the specialists best equipped to address them – change. Primary providers help identify and bridge these care gaps by tracking and addressing evolving health needs throughout life. PCPs also serve as “care quarterbacks,” connecting women to other care or service providers as needed.

Consistent healthcare interactions with PCPs are especially important for women during their reproductive years. Primary care practitioners are ideally suited to provide preconception care during routine visits. They can also provide contraceptive counseling, and assess pregnancy-related risks.

During pregnancy, PCPs can connect women with OB/GYNs and other birth workers. Early prenatal care greatly improves health outcomes for mother and child (see Adequate Prenatal Care).

Unfortunately, access to primary care is far from a given in Oklahoma. Women may not have a regular provider for various reasons,  the most common barriers being distance and cost (see Unable to See a Doctor Due to Cost).

Women who are: privately insured (see Uninsured Women), college-educated (see Women with a College Degree), high-income, White or Asian, or 35-44 years old are all more likely to consistently see a primary care provider. Women of color and those who speak a language other than English are less likely to receive preventive health services. Language barriers, discrimination, and lack of racial/ethnic representation among providers impact women’s experiences and access to quality healthcare.

Another major barrier to primary care access is the lack of practitioners. PCPs are in increasingly shorter supply due to inadequate reimbursement for services, burdensome administrative demands, and declining job satisfaction. The problem is especially apparent in Oklahoma, where 75 of the state’s 77 counties are designated as Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

In line with national trends, the PCP shortage in Oklahoma is most extreme in rural parts of the state where transportation can further hinder women’s ability to attend regular check-ups (see Access to Care in Rural Areas).