Corporate Medicine vs. Direct Primary Care
From a patient’s perspective, the medical system may work fine most of the time. For example, say you have a new symptom or problem, you call the office or make an appointment online, it’s not too much of a wait, maybe that same week or the next. You show up, pay your copay, wait a few minutes, and you’re in to see the doctor you have met several times. After a brief chat about how you’re feeling, you’ve got a prescription, referral or test in hand and you’re on your way. Before you know it, weeks have gone by and you’re feeling better. What’s not to like? If this has been your experience, count yourself lucky.
Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, the system doesn’t work out this way, and boy can it go sideways when it does.
Waiting on the phone just to speak with a person…
Waiting weeks for your appointment…
Waiting for an eternity in the office just to see the doctor…
Having your regular doctor unable to see you…or cancelling the day of your appointment…
Having the doctor not listen to you, or really give you the impression they hear what you are saying…
Leaving the appointment feeling frustrated, not getting your problem addressed, or feeling like you don’t understand what was said or what would be done…
Feeling the same, or worse than you did before you went to the doctor…then getting a big bill weeks later…”I thought this was covered?”
Getting in to see the doctor shouldn’t be difficult, and certainly shouldn’t be frustrating - you should leave with your questions answered, or at least have a well thought out plan with a doctor you trust. Although finding a doctor you can trust can be a challenge, it doesn’t have to be. Take it from the thousands and thousands of patients I have helped and who have told me:
“You’re the best doctor I’ve ever had.”
“You’re the first doctor who has really listened to me.”
“Thank you for restoring my trust in the medical profession.”
If you’re tired of a large medical corporation and want to experience medicine the way it was intended - between a doctor and a patient - then call or schedule your first visit.
