Reflections on Direct Access Primary Care

Since I started my direct access practice just over 4 months ago, I wanted to give an update on how things are going. My initial focus has been growing my practice. Because of the way healthcare systems write physician contracts, I was unable to tell my patients about starting my own practice, or have a discussion about benefits of direct access primary care. My goal with writing this blog and posting to facebook is to let people know where I am, what I am about, and how I approach primary care in this new model.

As my patients have started to find me, and new patients are reaching out as well, I have been able to start shifting my focus to my passion - caring for patients. Every time I have a patient interaction, it has been very reaffirming that I made the right choice in starting this practice. I love that I get more time with my patients. I feel like I am able to make a more meaningful impact. I have been able to personally arrange several specialist referrals, coordinate the response to critical results, and make new diagnoses which I have time to explain, counsel, and create a personalized plan to address.

I feel available for my patients, both physically (I can be reached directly by phone, email, text, and portal messaging) but also and maybe even more importantly, mentally. When I am talking with a patient, I don’t feel pressure to wrap things up because I am behind and have 4 people in the waiting room getting agitated. Instead, I feel relaxed and attentive. I don’t hesitate to ask a few probing follow up questions to see if there are more concerns that should be explored, as opposed to skirting sensitive topics because there just isn’t time.

I truly believe this model of direct access primary care is best for patients and best for physicians. I wish that insurance companies would recognize the value of preventative care, but more often than not they only look to cover services AFTER things have gone wrong. So I don’t think insurance companies will start offering to cover annual membership fees for direct access any time soon. But if you are able to invest in this model ($1860 per year, which breaks down to $155 per month), then I know you too will find it refreshing, beneficial, and well worth it! So as we move through this holiday season and into the New Year, think about how you can start focusing on your own health and well being. Try a membership with Slack Family Practice, and explore healthcare as it should be!