Number of ER patients increase in Enid as doctors take days off

Wednesday, June 9th 2004, 5:51 am

By: News On 6

(Enid-AP) -- More patients visited local emergency rooms in Enid since doctors closed their offices so they could attend a three-day Physician Survival Summit in Oklahoma City.

The summit, hosted by Oklahoma State Medical Association, started Monday and concludes today.

Cyndy Shephard, spokeswoman for Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center, says the hospital has seen about 20 more patients a day.

Rose Roberts with the Minor Emergency Clinic says many people are coming to the clinic because their doctor's office is closed.

At least half of Enid's 80 doctors were expected to attend the summit, which includes workshops designed to help doctors maintain their practices as malpractice insurance rates increases.