In Good Health: Finding A Primary Care Physician

August 19, 2026 - 01:18

When was the last time you went to the doctor? Not for something urgent, not for a broken finger or a bad case of the flu. Just a regular checkup. A yearly visit to confirm that everything is working as it should. For roughly one in three Americans, that visit is long overdue. In 2024, over 100 million people had no regular primary doctor at all, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers.

The numbers look even worse for younger adults. A national survey from this summer found that more than a quarter of people aged 18 to 29 had no primary care physician. And among those who did have one, over half said they skipped their annual wellness exam in the past year.

But patients are not the only ones to blame. The system itself is straining. Primary care doctors are overwhelmed, and there is a growing shortage of physicians in this field. In many areas, new patients face wait times of several months just to get a first appointment. That delay often turns a small concern into a bigger problem.

The situation raises a basic question: what do you do when you do not have a regular doctor? Community health centers are one option, as are urgent care clinics for non-emergency issues. Telehealth visits have also become a practical bridge for routine questions. The key is not to wait until something serious forces you into the system. Finding a consistent point of care, even if it is not a traditional family doctor, can make a real difference in staying ahead of health issues.