Saving Relationship Medicine with Direct Primary Care
Better Quality, Less Frustration and Reduced Costs. What a Bargain
This is the 11th article addressing the dysfunctional American healthcare system. Here is a link to the last article.
Here is an approach that vastly improves patient care, reduces patient and doctor frustration, all while reducing total medical costs. I believe it is the logical future of primary care medicine.
The fundamental problem in health care delivery today is a highly dysfunctional payment system that leads to higher costs, lesser quality, and reduced satisfaction. It also means less time between doctor and patient with the loss of “relationship medicine.” The core problem? Price controls by government and commercial insurers and regulations, also by insurers, that reduce the trust and core interactions between doctor and patient. The doctor, not by choice, is the insurer’s client. The patient is no one’s customer and visit times are all too short. I have argued in the Washington Times as an Op-Ed that paying the doctor directly is better for all concerned.
Some of the best attempts to improve this dysfunctional delivery system have been accomplished by primary care physicians themselves. They have essentially said, “I won’t take it any longer; this is not good for my patients or for me.” They have…
