Concerned and disappointed

An article in the Sun Journal (Aug. 12) stated Central Maine Health Care officials acknowledged the most recent physician turnover rate stands at 27.1 percent, and that this is lower than rates in previous two years. I take that to mean CMHC physician turnover rate in the past three years has been almost 100 percent. If that isn’t a red flag for the CMHC board to ask some tough questions of CEO Jeff Brickman and his leadership team, I don’t know what is.

Where are the State Hospital Association and hospital licensing and regulatory agencies on this? I am not a hospital administrator, but even I understand that patient continuity of care and accepted health care standards of care should be considered when recommending system changes that could result in physician turnover. Were such things taken into account before implementing the changes in the CMHC system, which have resulted in dangerously high physician turnover rates, causing thousands of patients to worry about their continuity of care?

While that is happening, the Press Herald recently reported that Maine is the sixth worst state in the nation for rise in overdose deaths. Hundreds of medication-assisted treatment patients with an opioid use disorder in the Bridgton area have or may loose their primary care physician.

How their continuity of care is addressed could have literally life-altering effects for them, their families and communities.

Cathy Finck, Bridgton

Editor’s note: Cathy Finck is president of the Lakes Region Substance Abuse Coalition.