Most people who think about switching to concierge medicine have something in common: They’re ready to ditch seven-minute medicine, so they start looking for alternatives to traditional primary care.
The question is, why now? Why is now the time to make the jump?
While there are many reasons you may decide it’s time to find a new primary care doctor, a few stand out repeatedly among people who’ve already made the switch.
Let’s look at the three main reasons for joining a concierge practice.
- You’re done waiting
The traditional primary care model is broken. There are fewer and fewer primary care doctors—The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates there will be a shortage of between 21,400 and 525,200 primary care physicians by 2033—caring for more and more patients.
You want to talk with your doctor instead of waiting. You wait days or weeks for an appointment and then wait again in the lobby or exam room simply because your traditional primary care doctor is juggling 20–35 patients per day.
Many patients who switch to concierge medicine do so for convenience. It removes the hassle of having to wait for an appointment when you are sick – you can typically be seen for acute care appointments either the same day or the next day.
Most concierge practices guarantee virtually no waiting in the lobby or exam room. If your appointment is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m., you can expect that you will be seen at the time of your appointment.
- You want a doctor who is a partner in healthcare
If you’re the type of informed consumer and health advocate who wants a proactive outlook not a disaster relief mentality from your physician, then you fit in with many who choose concierge care.
A traditional doctor cannot see you long enough or know you well enough to be the teammate you need—not because they aren’t a talented physician, but because their schedules just make it difficult.
For many, the deeper relationship with a physician and the 24/7 access to care provides peace of mind. You know that you or your loved ones will get the care they need, when they need it, whether it’s during the day or the middle of the night. And that can be invaluable.
- You have a condition that requires a stronger doctor-patient relationship
Do you have a condition, whether chronic or complex, that requires a lot of contact with your physician? Are you in search of new solutions to a lingering problem? You’re in strong company with the many others who choose concierge medicine.
If you have a condition that necessitates a doctor’s in-depth attention, then seven-minute medicine is likely driving you crazy, bankrupt, or both.
It’s not just that it’s not enough time to adequately discuss and manage your condition, it’s also that it’s just not convenient to be seen in the first place. You can’t afford to have to wait days or weeks for an appointment.
Concierge doctors have more time to look at the big picture of your health. It’s one of the major pros of concierge medicine. They can review your full list of prescriptions and assess how these medications interact with one another. They can coordinate care with your other specialists and providers and investigate treatments, including new and cutting-edge methods.
Take a step in the right direction today. See if concierge medicine is right for you.
Do these reasons echo your feelings? Take the first step in improving your healthcare by learning more about concierge care with PartnerMD Sandy Springs and make the switch today.
