Mill Creek MD

"Patients use urgent care and pharmacy clinics more and more. Why don’t they contact their family physician? Well, often there is a two week wait, the phone tree system takes forever – they leave a message and wait for a call back, and after-hours service can’t help them. Finally, when they do get an appointment, they have to take time off work, sit in a crowded waiting room, and possibly wait hours to see the physician for a few minutes…to be told that “it is nothing serious.” In defense of office staff, there are over 2000 patients per physician, paperwork is overwhelming, scheduling is a nightmare— a vicious cycle. This nation-wide problem occurs in all specialties. My hope is that this new model will become more and more prevalent as patients demand medicine the way it should be: a Doctor-Patient relationship and not a Doctor – Front Office – Insurance – Administration – Nurse – Patient relationship. In a DPC practice, patient panels are limited to about one quarter the size of a traditional practice. This allows for same-day or next-day sick visits, unlimited visits, visits that start on time (no waiting), unhurried appointments and the ability to directly interact via phone, text, and email. The patient receives answers when needed. I want to have the ability to use technology to treat patients at their convenience, resolving problems which result in fewer office visits, and hopefully, fewer ER and Urgent Care visits. A DPC practice is truly the practice model of the future."