When Dr. Linda Lee sees patients, she brings them from the waiting room, typically spends a half hour with them, cleans up the exam room and submits the insurance claims online. She's the one who returns phone voicemails, and she gives patients her cell phone number for urgent after-hours needs.
via www.democratandchronicle.com
Hooray and congratulations to the inspiring docs on the cutting edge of health care.
This is an example of what is possible (though still difficult due to inept policy and payment).
This model demonstrates that we don't have to write off solo and small practices as we envision of future of excellent care.
This is also an example of doctors who have awakened to the reality that the time is now and they can choose to create a better practice for their patients.
I'm not suggesting that solo is the only way, I'm not suggesting "work with no staff" is the ideal, just that it is one end of a spectrum that is often ignored or written off.
We can do this.
You can too.
As a patient in one of these practices (Dr. Elissa Sanchez Speach in the same office as Dr. Lee) I can tell you that this model of care is wonderful. I have a relationship with my doctor that most patients can only imagine.
when I tell people about being able to talk to & than even see my doctor within hours if I need it, they don't believe me. It's true.
I also appreciate the holistic approach to my health that includes a real dose of common sense, access to data and oh yeah, listening.
A very powerful combination. Thank you to all the physicians who are taking this approach to medicine. We need you!
Posted by: Deborah Mourey | January 20, 2010 at 05:56 AM
In the D&C article, there was mention of an IMP practice in Gates, NY. The impcenter.org site does not have a Gates Practice listed. Is anybody familiar with this practice and how I might contact them?
Posted by: Brian | January 19, 2010 at 03:09 PM