The thing I enjoy most about my work with doctors is helping them tap into the passion behind how they want to serve their patients, bring that vision to life, and become the doctor they always wanted to be.
I know, this notion may seem idealistic, and nearly impossible. The practice of medicine has grown into such a challenging and difficult proposition for physicians. Initial enthusiasm for the profession often fades into disillusionment, frustration and burn-out due to the pressure of restrictive insurance regulations and limited reimbursement.
Yet, there IS a way out. An effective solution is transitioning from a traditional medical practice to a Concierge or Direct Primary Care (DPC) model. Within these business structures, the physician is set free from many limitations of the traditional practice. These models make it possible to create a practice that supports a physician’s personal and professional goals. At the same time, their ideas about how medicine should be practiced can be realized.
The Concierge and DPC membership models are ideal vehicles for going beyond a traditional practice to one that may incorporate approaches such as Lifestyle Medicine, Integrative or Holistic Medicine, and Functional Medicine. It supports wellness and prevention by practicing medicine with a focus on the root-cause of disease, rather than managing disease and illness.
Jami Dulaney, MD, a well-established cardiologist in Florida, is a great example of a doctor who is using the Concierge/DPC business framework to enable her to practice medicine in non-traditional ways to achieve these goals.
“This is the perfect mix. I wouldn’t do it any other way.”
– Dr. Jami Dulaney, Cardiologist
Growing up, Dr. Dulaney watched members of her family struggle with heart disease and diabetes. A few years ago, she started experiencing symptoms herself, despite leading an active, healthy lifestyle.
She then began learning about the power of nutrition in optimizing her own health. Dr. Dulaney brought this knowledge into her practice and started offering nutrition classes to her cardiovascular and diabetic patients. She saw dramatic results in reversing angina, neuropathy, and diabetes, as well as in being able to reduce patients’ medications, or stop them altogether.
Her approach to practicing cardiology changed as she saw first-hand the potential to reverse lifestyle disease and optimize wellness. Teaching nutrition (food-as-medicine) and lifestyle management became her passion, and the new framework for her practice.
Her challenge: “How can I design a practice that allows me to spend as much time as needed to teach my patients how to help themselves achieve optimal wellness—and get reimbursed for it?”
Together, we created a membership model with nutrition classes at the core of patient care. We developed both office and online program tiers for individuals and groups. The membership fees provide a consistent monthly revenue stream, and becoming a member requires a commitment from patients to take responsibility for their health.
Patients connect with Dr. Dulaney’s dedication to their health and wellness, and membership enrollment has been strong. Within one month of functioning as a member-only practice, she was well on her way to meeting her membership goal.
“Doctors want to get out of traditional medicine but don’t know how. It’s a matter of getting the right help and enough confidence to pull the trigger.” – Jami Dulaney, MD
It was a courageous move. Following one’s convictions and charting a course in unfamiliar waters can be overwhelming. But the membership model provided the structural foundation necessary for making all the pieces come together. My client created a sustainable niche practice, and now enjoys a satisfying and successful approach to caring for her patients. As Dr. Dulaney puts it, “It’s the best thing I have ever done. I’m happy during the day, can spend an hour with people, and see significant improvements in their health.”
Isn’t that how you always envisioned practicing medicine when you became a doctor?
Learn more about Dr. Jami Dulaney’s practice
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Latady Physician Strategies, LLC helps physicians convert to and grow Concierge, DPC and Hybrid practice models that allow them to treat their patients the way they want to be treated, while rediscovering their enjoyment in practicing medicine.
Call or email me with your questions about exploring and transitioning to Concierge or Direct Care medicine.
781.275.1415
