Many physicians are exploring alternatives to the frustrating status quo in healthcare, with so many middlemen, inefficiencies, and regulatory burdens. Direct primary care (DPC) has emerged as an attractive model for physicians wanting more face-to-face time with patients, greater autonomy, and more meaning in medicine. Beyond these tremendous benefits, it turns out DPC practices are able to save both patients and the healthcare system a significant amount of money by negotiating fees directly with lab and imaging centers (sometimes leading to shocking savings!), and by returning to basics and placing the patient-physician relationship back in the center, where it belongs.
This week I heard an interview on one of my favorite podcasts, The Paradocs Podcast, hosted by practicing anesthesiologist Dr. Eric Larson. On this episode, his guest was Dr. Lee Gross, a DPC pioneer and president of Docs 4 Patient Care Foundation. Check it out!
More About Direct Primary Care
If you’re still curious about this practice model after listening to the interview, consider researching your local area for DPC physicians already doing this. You may be surprised to find some colleagues using this model successfully not far from where you are! This DPC mapper can help.
A DPC Summit is taking place this summer in Chicago; find out more here.
Check out the Docs 4 Patient Care Foundation website here. Their DPC Nuts & Bolts conference will be in Orlando (November 14-16, 2019).
And last but not least, here is my interview with Dr. Larson from July 2018 about physician wellness, burnout prevention, and much more. Check out his informative, at times amusing, and always interesting podcasts and share them with your colleagues, family, and friends.
And, as always, remember to be good to yourself!
Love your stand and inspiration on RECAPTURING THE JOY IN MEDICINE. Thanks for caring enough about us physicians and patients and for doing something about it. You’re absolutely amazing and the best role model I could have. Congrats!