Good afternoon, Beacon readers. This weekend, Logan Health primary care providers will be going on the record about experiences over the last several years that are fueling their decision to file for a union.
The first week of December, physicians launched an initiative to unionize, citing persisting concerns about inadequate staffing and unsustainable (and growing) workloads. They filed with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD), which represents more than 7,000 physicians, dentists and advanced practice clinicians across the country.
Clinicians reported that Logan Health has lost around 20 primary care providers systemwide over the past couple years, alongside a reshuffling of support staff that’s made the process of setting up appointments more difficult. Doctors with open-ended panel sizes (the number of patients assigned to a physician) have seen up to five new patients per day. I spoke with a primary care doctor last week who said that over the last three years, his annual panel size had “flooded from 1,300 to 1,800.”
The downstream effect of those pressures, providers say, has meant less time with patients and longer wait times to get in and see a healthcare provider.
“Trying to balance evidence-based medical care and good patient care, with the demands of seeing more and more patients – it’s been hard to navigate because physician input has not been heard,” the primary care doctor said.
Providers report that they’ve presented concerns to hospital administration to no avail, prompting them to turn to a union that can represent them in a collective voice.
On Saturday, the UAPD will host a town hall at the Northwest Montana History Museum for clinicians to share those concerns openly. The afternoon meeting is set to include a panel of physicians and patients sharing their respective experiences working through the system. Community members are encouraged to attend and share their stories as well. The town hall will be from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and open to the public.
If your Saturday is booked but your curiosity is piqued, not to worry – I’ll be covering the event, so stay tuned for an article later this weekend.
I’m Zoë Buhrmaster. Let’s dive into the rest of today’s Roundup.
Habitat for Humanity Accepting Applications for Single-Family Homes in Columbia Falls
Located on the corner of Railroad Street and Fourth Avenue East North, the six homes are slated to break ground this spring as the nonprofit organization works to acquire more land and expand its inventory
For more than 50 years, the Flathead Snowmobile Association has been maintaining designated snowmobile routes across northwest Montana, providing grooming for multiuse trails and bolstering partnerships to ensure motorized access
This holiday season, celebrate the spirit of our community by shopping local. Every purchase you make from a neighborhood business helps support local jobs, families, and the unique character that makes the Flathead Valley such a special place to call home. From thoughtful gifts to festive experiences, our local shops have everything you need to make the season bright. Here’s some information on how to keep it local this holiday season.
Keeping you connected to Northwest Montana.
Whether you’ve been here for decades, or you’re new to the Flathead Valley, our reporting is here to help you feel smarter and in the loop about the issues most important to Northwest Montana. With your support, we can build a more engaged, informed community.
