Relationships are the center of the Direct Primary Care model. Waiting for hours to just get 5 minutes with your Primary Care Doctor is not good healthcare! This is where the direct primary care model shines. Let me tell you about a new and transformative healthcare model: Direct Primary Care!
You will also see how the direct primary care model excels at treating pain such as lower back pain. It is important that you see a provider who can see you soon and also guide you to the right treatments for your pain and get you back to living life on your own terms!
Revolutionizing Patient-Centered Medical Care: Embracing Direct Primary Care in Modern Healthcare
You are seeing more and more primary care doctors leave their hospital jobs and start practicing in a direct primary care model. This model is proving that it is able to modernize the healthcare experience by brining back the essentials of healthcare such as the bond with each client.
What Exactly Is Direct Primary Care?
Direct primary care is personalized healthcare that places greater emphasis on the relationship between you and your provider, unlike most traditional doctors offices. The payments for the services you receive go directly to your direct primary care provider and not through insurance. This assures you are getting treatment for what you need, rather than waiting on someone to tell you what you can be treated for!
The payments you make cover all of your treatments, no surprise bills! Direct primary care providers limit their total patient count to ensure when you are with them, you get the time and attention you deserve.
Lastly, direct primary care providers provide quick and convenient access to care when you need it. No more waiting months just to get in to see your doctor. What a relief! I often see direct primary care doctors see their clients same day and the appointments last at least 45 minutes.
How Direct Primary Care Strengthens the Patient-Physician Bond and Transforms Primary Healthcare Delivery
We must emphasize the importance of the relationship and bonds we form with patients. I believe that is the only way to truly influence and manage health. Health is a behavior and it takes time, energy, and effort to change that.
The Direct primary model is focused on the patient so it allows the doctor to truly know them and form a bond that a doctor should have with their client.
Nearly all direct primary care practices have these qualities:
- Unlimited visits
- At least 45 min visits
- No wait times
- Personally review medical testing and history
Imagine seeing your primary care doctors and they listened to you for 45 minutes, personally reviewed your history and chart, conducted a thorough examination, and didn't have okay the treatments with your insurance. These also the doctors to form a bond with each client to truly define healthcare.
Why Direct Primary Care Is the Ideal Choice Over The ED or Urgent Care for The Treatment Of Lower Back Pain
In my experience when clients have pain the ED and urgent care are often not helpful. This is what happens:
The ED: A long wait for essentially nothing more than strong medication and told to follow up with their primary care
Urgent Care: A shorter wait but also told to take medication and follow up with their primary care.
Now instead of wasting your time or money, just start with a direct primary care doctor.
A direct primary care provider will assess your symptoms and help determine the best treatment options for your lower back pain. This is nearly impossible in urgent care and in the ED. The ED and urgent care are essentially there to make sure you don't have a fracture or something serious. This allows the doctor to follow the best evidence for your back pain. Which may include rest or physical therapy.
With Direct primary care they can help direct you to conservative treatment options, provide you with medications when appropriate, and determine if you may need further imaging such as an x-ray or MRI.
What Does the Evidence Say About Direct Primary Care?
The research indicates most acute and chronic lower back pain is going to respond the best to conservative treatment optionsAt a direct primary care provider’s office, they are only going to provide you with conservative treatment options that have been shown to be effective. This could include interventions like rest, massage, acupuncture, spinal manipulation, trigger point injections, and many other options.
The evidence tells us that outcomes with lower back pain are better when the patient’s needs are heard.
A direct primary care provider has the time to address all your questions and can help to reduce any fears you may have about the pain you’re experiencing. And if they feel that they are not able to fully address your needs, they will match you with a skilled provider in their network.
Direct primary care providers give you the best results with your lower back pain because they give you quick access to the care you need. You don’t have to jump through hoops waiting for your insurance to approve of multiple visits just to get the services you need to reduce your lower back pain.
And since direct primary care provider’s decisions are not driven by what your insurance will reimburse, they assure that you get only the treatments that they know will help you the most.
In summary, by choosing DPC, you're not just opting for healthcare; you're choosing a partnership that transcends the traditional norms, empowering you to take control of your well-being. So, embark on this transformative journey – discover a Direct Primary Care provider near you and experience healthcare that revolves around you. Your health, your time, your life – embrace the care you deserve.
If you live in the Jacksonville Fl area you have to take a look at the top direct primary care practices that I have worked with.
References:
1. Qaseem, A., Wilt, T., McClean, R., Forciea, M. (2017). Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians, Annals of Internal Medicine, 166 (7), 514-530. 2. Roberto, M., Piscitelli, D., Ravasio, C., Vanti, C., Bertozzi, L., Vito, G., Perin, C., Guiccione, A., Cerri, C., Pilastrini, P. (2021). Evidence for managing chronic low back pain in primary care: a review of recommendations from high-quality clinical practice guidelines, Disability and Rehabilitation, 43:7, 1029-1043, DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1645888
