A new Angus Reid survey finds that while three-quarters of Americans say they have a regular family doctor or general practitioner, access to timely primary care remains uneven — particularly for younger adults and those still trying to find a provider.
Three-in-four have a family doctor, but not everyone
Overall, 76 per cent of Americans say they currently have a family doctor or GP, while nearly one-quarter (24%) do not.
Access rises sharply with age. Just 58 per cent of adults aged 18–34 report having a family doctor, compared to 75 per cent of those aged 35–54 and an overwhelming 93 per cent among those aged 55 and older. Women are slightly more likely than men to report having a GP (77% vs. 74%).
Regional gaps also persist. Americans in the Northeast (87%) and Midwest (82%) are far more likely to have a family doctor than those in the West (70%).
Getting in to see a doctor is often not quick
Among those who do have a family doctor, just over one-third (36%) say they can usually get an appointment within a day or two. Four-in-ten (40%) report having to wait several days, while one-quarter (24%) say it usually takes a week or longer to be seen.
Younger patients face longer waits. Nearly three-in-ten (29%) of those aged 18–34 say it takes at least a week to get an appointment, compared to just 22 per cent of seniors. Women also report more difficulty than men in securing timely appointments.
Many without a GP are stuck or have given up
Among the 24 per cent of Americans who do not have a family doctor, frustration is widespread. One-quarter (24%) say they were previously looking for a GP but have since given up, while another 24 per cent are still searching — including 13 per cent who have been looking for six months or longer.
Younger Americans are especially affected. Among those aged 18–34 without a GP, nearly one-in-four say they have been actively searching for a provider, and another quarter say they have already stopped trying.
Higher-income Americans are far less likely to be in this position; nearly three-quarters of those earning $100,000 or more say they are not looking for a GP because they already have adequate access.
Doctor shortages ripple through families and communities
The challenge extends beyond individuals. Nearly three-in-ten Americans (29%) say they know at least one close friend or family member who has been unable to find a family doctor in the past year. One-in-ten say multiple people in their lives have faced this problem.
Younger adults are again most affected: more than one-third (37%) of those under 35 say they know someone who has been unable to secure a family doctor.
In United States: The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from Aug. 16-17, 2022, among a representative randomized sample of 1,209 American adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum USA. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
For detailed American results by age, gender, region, education, and other demographics, click here.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Angus Reid, Chairman: angus@angusreid.com
Shachi Kurl, President: 604.908.1693 shachi.kurl@angusreid.us @shachikurl