Change, naturally, is scary. Often one must weigh the pain of change against the potential for growth. Once the scales tip in favor of change, then the dawn of a new era will shine on the horizon.

This is where I stand. The sun of the DPC (Direct Primary Care) era of my career is finally in view.

Together, over time, we’ll dig deeper into this thing called “DPC.” But it has taken years for me to wrap my mind around DPC healthcare, so give it time. Be curious. Ask questions. Let it grow on you, too.

Today, let me give you just a little peek. Think of it as the first pink glow of the morning…

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Let’s start with the basics. Consider “Direct Primary Care” – the name:

DIRECT. DPC doctors work directly for their patients, and DPC patients have access directly to their doctor. It’s a win-win. Paying for a membership instead of paying for procedure and diagnosis codes means that DPC doctors are not incentivized to meet the goals of an insurance company, and they do not financially benefit when you are sick. No longer is there a physician-administration-insurance-patient relationship; a pure physician-patient relationship is at the DPC foundation.

PRIMARY. Primary care physicians are known as “PCPs” in the medical world, but most people know us as their “general doctor” or “family doctor.” Not only are we skilled in preventative health, treating acute illnesses, and managing chronic diseases; good PCPs are the experts in the coordination of healthcare and in accessing the healthcare system. We are the front line of healthcare! As a firm believer in the importance of primary care, I believe all people should have a PCP. Unfortunately, there are not enough to go around, so each PCP often cares for 2,000+ patients. Being in that position for the past 11 years, I can tell you it is as overwhelming as it sounds. On the other hand, DPC doctors are able to take care of fewer patients, so they have more time to do exactly what PCPs are trained to do. Therefore, while DPC patients may still need to go to the ER for true emergencies or to specialists for complicated issues, DPC patients will rarely need Urgent Care or feel lost in “the system.” They have an accessible, unburdened ally.

CARE. This is the biggest reason, and the last domino to fall, that led me to join the DPC revolution. Patients deserve care. Most physicians start medical school with the goal “to help people.” However, after brutal training that transitions into stressful careers, buzzwords like “jaded,” “moral injury,” and “burnout” become realities. Unintentionally, our care suffers as a natural consequence. DPC’s foundation is relationship, and its roots are trust, respect, access, & transparency. These are more than nice words on a poster or hopes in a clinic vision statement; it is the primary mission of DPC to restore these values back into healthcare where they belong. What a better system for healthcare providers and patients alike!

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Think of Direct Primary Care (DPC) as the modern version of the “old-fashioned” family physician from 30-40 years ago. You know, the family doc who was a trusted source of knowledge, who earned your family’s respect over time, who was accessible when you needed them, whose cost was transparent and affordable regardless of insurance, and who knew you when you crossed paths at the local grocery store.

While DPC has been around for many years, the momentum it has gained over the past few years is undeniable – nationally, locally, and personally.

This is the new horizon for healthcare, for me, and maybe even for you, too!