Earlier this year, ECG published The Waiting Game: New-Patient Appointment Access for US Physicians, a study focused on how long patients wait to access routine care in 34 metro areas and 11 specialties. What did it tell us? The average wait time for the next appointment was 38 days.

In an age when many items can be ordered and arrive on the same day, waiting weeks to see a doctor is a problem. What is the root cause? Physician shortage and burnout? Poor capacity management? Outdated scheduling systems? Lack of standardization? All of the above?

As I reflect on the past year and look ahead to 2025, I remain optimistic. At ECG, when we talk about having “the courage to change healthcare,” it’s more than a tagline—it’s a quality we see in our teams and in our client partners. I can’t feel despondent when, every day, I talk with people who are smart, passionate, and determined to overcome the challenges and pursue the many opportunities in our industry.

Check out The Waiting Game if you haven’t already. Having the data helps us define the scope of the problem. Together, we can do better.

Sincerely,