To the Editor: No Eulogy Needed for Primary Care Physicians

I read “A Eulogy for the Primary Care Physician” with a mix of dismay and confusion.¹ As a proud family medicine physician and educator, I feel compelled to say, “We’re not dead yet” (and yes, please read that in your best Monty Python voice, which seems fitting given the tone of the piece).

The authors are right to point out that primary care faces real challenges, including administrative burden, time constraints, and systemic undervaluation. But that is only part of the story. In response to these pressures, we have adapted by reimagining care delivery and embracing innovation. We are building sustainable models of practice, creating meaningful relationships with patients, and shaping a profession that is as intellectually rigorous as it is personally fulfilling.

There is, in fact, an entire specialty dedicated to primary care: family medicine. We provide comprehensive, continuous care for individuals of all ages and health conditions, particularly those most vulnerable to health inequities. In 2025, more than 4500 medical students chose to enter family medicine, a testament to the field’s continued relevance and appeal.²

Our work has never been more essential. Patients are living longer with increasingly complex and overlapping conditions, often shaped by social, economic, and behavioral factors. Managing that complexity while integrating physical, mental, and preventive care in a single, sustained relationship cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence or non-physician providers. It is some of the most intellectually rigorous and emotionally demanding work in health care. And it matters. Communities with better access to primary care physicians experience lower mortality.³

Contrary to the bleak image portrayed, many of us are thriving. We are well compensated and in high demand. Models like direct primary care, team-based care, and accountable care organizations allow more options than ever for rewarding, sustainable careers.

What primary care needs is not a eulogy, but better marketing and continued structural support. To medical students and residents: Don’t believe the alarmists. A career in primary care offers incredible flexibility, the chance to build deep relationships with patients, and the freedom to shape your path. Whether you are drawn to community health, teaching, policy, or innovation, primary care lets you do meaningful work while building a life you actually want to live.

Yes, reform is needed: loan forgiveness, better payment models, more time with patients, and reduced administrative burden. We must also invest in graduate medical education pathways that support comprehensive, relationship-centered care.

But we are not a profession in its final days. We are essential, adapting, and passionate about our work.