DPC as a Life Changer
Here is a great article about DPC from Medical Economics. It was written by Rob Lamberts MD. Read it and consider it a possibility for you if you are a PCP and are willing to make a move in life. As Rob says:
My income now equals that which I had when I left my old practice. Most importantly, I love the medicine I practice now and feel like I am giving truly good care to all of my patients.
Now, how does that sound?
Get Dr. Farrago’s book on how to start your own DPC practice here.
Except those within 3 to 5 years of Medicare age who really don’t have enough effective time
to do DPC. Especially if their financial advisor says they are fine to bail once they reach 65.
Remember, DPC will not work everywhere. Where people are too used to sucking off the government teat, you will fail! Plus if there are no hospitalists to take care of your inpatients, you’ll be sol.
You do DPC, you gotta be careful of where you go to put out your shingle otherwise you can go bankrupt like many private practices did in the past.
If I was just starting out, I’d steer clear of primary care. The NP’s are going to take over when most institutions have hospitalists and the rest of the state laws change that allow them to be independent. The ones that will flourish with DPC are the ones who get to the best places first with people who can afford the monthly fees. You’re not going to see many public aid people use their cigarette, beer and frozen pizza money to pay a monthly physicians fees when the state gives it to them for free! Watch the payor mix carefully or you’ll be screwed by the DPC mantra.
I have come to the conclusion that about the only way docs can be contnet in Primary Care is through DPC. And contented docs make for healthier patients