Recently many doctors have grown weary of the hectic, impersonal atmosphere of large medical facilities. Rather than stay and become desensitized to the personal needs of each patient, several medical practitioners are reexamining their reasons for entering the field in the first place. One solution to the frustration of such chaotic working conditions has been to open a smaller practice, which can be a lot of work, but also very rewarding. The number of patients treated at small medical facilities might be in the low hundreds, compared to the thousands in a large facility. In many cases, patients are able to reach their doctor at any time of the day or night and make appointments on short notice, even on the same day. Examinations are more thorough and are based on a personal understanding of the patient's medical history, as well as the patient's unique preferences for treatment.
Of course, personal service doesn't come cheap. Most small practitioners charge an annual fee that may fall anywhere between $400 and $5,000, depending on the wellness plan the patient prefers. Then there is usually a smaller office fee, usually about $35.
All over the country doctors are rediscovering the joys of working at smaller practices. After all, the thought of developing personal relationships with patients and serving them and their families over the years throughout life's ups and downs is what drives many students to excel in medical school. This close relationship with patience allows doctors to take a better approach to patient health in general: rather than simply curing ills, the small-practice doctor works with the patient to design a customized plan based on medical and family history to focus on overall wellness through diet and exercise. This approach often incorporates therapeutic care like message and meditation to relieve that major health saboteur known as stress. When doctors have the time to slow down and assist patients with the prevention of illness rather than trying to quickly and effectively "undo" years of unhealthy practices, the result is so much more than the alleviation of symptoms for a fee. Small practitioners are worthy of you placing your life in your hands because they can help you find ways to live longer and better.
Of course this trend opens up an ethical can of worms, as medical care at this level can be too expensive for working families. Concierge care is often criticized as "elite care" and some organizations are being formed to make this kind of wellness care available to a greater number of people. Virginia's own nonprofit organization, the American Academy of Private Physicians in Virginia has taken steps to increase the number of small practices throughout the commonwealth and thereby decrease the price of this kind of care.
Regardless, there is a great deal of variation in the developing realm of concierge care, and if you look carefully, you are more than likely to find a small practice that can cater to your needs, whether those are Medicare or insurance compatibility or whether you need a radiologist or an on-call OB/GYN.
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Find out more about concierge medicine and how joining AAPP can help you deliver private medicine effectively to your patients.
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