A majority of AMDA – Dedicated to Long Term Care Medicine members are pulling double duty, according to a survey by that group. A total of 79% said they work as part-time medical directors and 88% said they also serve as attending physicians.

The AMDA survey reveals that, in general, its physician members (the association also includes advance practice nurses, physician assistants, administrators and consultant pharmacists) serve in a variety of capacities. Just under half have private practices that are not in long-term care settings. Over one-half (55%) of AMDA physician respondents are certified medical directors (CMDs). Member physicians work in one or two different facilities with an average of 100 beds, according to the survey, which had a 20% response rate. Most respondents were physicians.

“Increasing difficulty recruiting physicians interested in LTC practice, coupled with an aging workforce, portend a crisis in the effective delivery of medical care to our most frail and vulnerable patients,” AMDA President Dr. Paul Katz said in a statement.