Primary care physicians (PCPs), who are abandoning the old style of medical practice in favor of the concierge medicine model, are driving the growth of the concierge medicine industry. Patients who participate in concierge medicine agree to pay their primary care physician (PCP) an annual fee in exchange for additional benefits.
Patients who pay this fee can schedule appointments with their physicians for the same day or the following day, and they also get round-the-clock access to their physicians. There is more time for patients and doctors to converse. Appointments that last for longer foster a more intimate relationship between the patient and the physician. The following is a list of the benefits that concierge medicine offers.
Instant Access
A doctor’s appointment can take days or even weeks to arrange. Less than an hour of waiting time can be achieved with this novel methodology. Additionally, your doctor is reachable by phone or email around-the-clock. Immediate access enhances patient satisfaction and gives patients confidence that they maintain control over their health.
Privacy
Concierge medicine not only cuts down on wait times but also ensures your privacy while you wait to see a doctor. Patients who visit clinics run by doctors who practice concierge care typically have access to private waiting rooms. Patient privacy is maintained and their experience is enhanced via private waiting places.
Individualized Care
Although individualized care is regarded as the most crucial aspect of patient/physician interaction, it is extremely uncommon. The shorter interaction time is the key issue. Physicians frequently have very limited time to discuss patient problems during a visit because they must see numerous patients each day.
For instance, a patient with a chronic illness like diabetes or hypertension might like to talk about dietary and lifestyle choices in addition to medicine. The doctor, however, is unable to offer specific advice due to the volume of people. In the end, they offer generic advice that might or might not be appropriate for the patient’s particular requirements.
In comparison to conventional practice, the patient panel in concierge practice is considerably smaller. Concierge doctors only visit 10 patients each day or less than half of the patients they saw before switching to concierge care, according to a US Government Accountability Office (GAO) survey.
Preventive Medicine
It is typical for doctors to spend less than 30 minutes teaching patients how to prevent both communicable and non-communicable diseases. They only discuss therapy approaches with their patients the majority of the time. However, in Concierge Diagnostic Evaluations, medical professionals and patients can thoroughly discuss preventive measures and develop a deeper understanding of the issues.
Coordination With Professionals
The doctor might need to collaborate with a specialist for a complex medical condition. When a patient has many diseases, which is commonly the case in senior individuals, these disorders are more prevalent. In addition to coordinating with other healthcare professionals, the concierge doctor may also accompany patients when they see a specialist. The doctor’s office furthermore offers equipment for some lab tests.
Benefits Of Concierge Medicine For Doctors
Although the majority of doctors are committed to their patient’s health, the convoluted healthcare system can be a barrier. Doctors frequently are unable to devote as much time to patient treatment as they would like because of excessive time spent on paperwork. Instead of rushing patients in and out of the exam room, concierge care enables clinicians to spend more time with patients.
The Conclusion
With concierge medicine, patients and doctors gain from a win-win situation. For patients, it translates into better health outcomes and medical care. For doctors, it brings greater satisfaction and the opportunity to offer specialized medical care.
Patients have options thanks to concierge medicine. They have the option of continuing with the standard of care or switching to concierge doctors who can offer more individualized care along with a variety of other intriguing features.
For instance, same- or next-day appointments, 24-hour phone access, routine preventive care, availability of a doctor by phone or email, wellness and nutrition planning, assistance in quitting smoking, and mental health counseling.
