this is huge issue. our immediate area has the largest concentration of medical services in 4 states. it is home to five major hospitals, several cancer care centers, and other treatment facilities yet it can be near impossible to find a primary care provider. the problem has gotten MUCH worse in recent years but I recall when we moved here in 2007 and I had been searching and searching for someone for dh and i to establish with (I found pediatric providers for the kids). it wasn't until dh had to go to an emergency room and they told him he had to do a follow up with a provider and made an appointment with one since he had no-one that we were able to get a foot in the door (and I went with him to the appointment to plead to become a patient as well).
we have had a couple retire and I hated having to find/transition to new but my oldest for whatever reason has historically had primarily younger doctors and it seems like every 6 months since the pandemic he gets a letter saying either his primary or one of his specialists is leaving the area so it's like a revolving door (making me think a doctor that might be too young to retire but old enough to maybe have kids in school/roots in the community such they don't want to move might be best to go for).
