Happy Independence Day!
On this Independence Day, I am especially conscious of the most independent thing I have ever done. Starting my very own medical practice, operating (not surgically) on my own terms, free of the restrictive constraints of the traditional US healthcare machine. I can barely believe it is already July. Only one month ago Momentum DPC opened its doors for the very first time. My first impression of this new way of doing things has been amazing. While certainly I still have a LONG way to go with regard to growing the practice to sustainable levels, I have absolutely loved everything about it so far. My first handful of patients have now come in, seen the new clinic, and had the opportunity to experience the uncommon homeyness DPC can offer. I can’t speak for all of them, but the general sense of their initial reactions was “this is awesome” or “I didn’t really know what to expect, but this place is really nice!” And I don’t think just mean the decor. It’s the whole idea.
In my brief previous post, I attempted to describe what kind of atmosphere I hope to foster in my practice. I’ll summarize it like this: members shall be treated like family, and this space like an extension of their home. Because we are purposefully small, we get to remain flexible with our time and our approach. If a patient calls me on the phone, they often surprised when they are greeted by me on the other end of the line. They don’t have to worry that some stranger will handle their requests, or that they will be told I have no available appointment slots for up to 4 weeks away. If they can’t come in person, we can meet virtually. If they need something and one of us is out of town, we can still call, text, email or video chat. It’s a very secure and relaxing feeling to know that you are going to be taken care of, that you won’t be hurried, and that you don’t have to cover EVERYTHING in a single visit because it is the only one you might be lucky enough to get for several months.
It’s this commitment to individualizing care, maximizing service, and delivering more value than my patients expect that is so freeing. We are not beholden to insurance companies or corporate benchmarks, and do not have to grovel with anyone for permission to practice the best medicine we can. It is why we will be able to offer in-house medication dispensing and lab testing (coming soon) as the membership expands. We are always trying to add value. Always refining the process, guided by our members’ needs and input. Join us and see for yourself the Direct Primary Care difference. Declare your independence from the broken system and gain a little bit of momentum for yourself.
