PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) – Remember the days when everyone had a family physician, and they would direct you to specialists or further care?

Now, it seems people make their own health plan, or get on Google and diagnose themselves. The American Academy of Family Physicians says this is causing a shortage in family doctors, as well as more fragmented care that causes health costs to rise.

Recently, they discussed this alarming trend and other healthcare issues at their annual Congress of Delegates and Scientific Assembly, held this year in Philadelphia.

KDKA-AM’s Larry and John talk to Dr. Kevin Wong, a Jeannette and Harrison City family physician and President of the PA Academy of Family Physicians, to talk about their annual convention and why family physicians are so important to your overall health.