The Emerging Practice Of Concierge Medicine

By David J. Jones, MD

Principal Medical Group

More Family/Primary Care Articles

The Emerging Practice Of Concierge Medicine

With an impending primary care physician shortage and an influx of newly insured patients with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, current patients are likely to find themselves waiting longer to get an appointment with their primary care doctor and spending even more time in their doctor's waiting room.

In an effort to provide a more personalized level of service to patients, the new trend of concierge medicine has emerged. By significantly reducing the number of patients seen in a day, concierge physicians are able to spend extra time and attention with each patient, restoring the doctor-patient relationship that is missing from many primary care offices.

Having a one-on-one relationship is very important to the way I practice medicine. Really getting to know my patients allows me to see the whole picture, from my patient's personal to professional life, which plays an essential role in understanding their full health situation.

Concierge medicine's personalized approach means excellent care for patients when they are sick, thorough annual physical exams that help to identify health issues early on, and comprehensive management of personal wellness and long-term conditions. These benefits and many more make the practice of concierge medicine one of the fastest growing medical trends in the country.

Patients of concierge medical practices have access to thorough, executive-level physicals, 24/7 access to their physician through phone, email and text, and most importantly, a medical home where they can feel comfortable turning to their own personal physician whether through an in-person appointment or a phone call for guidance and specialist referrals.

Today, many primary care physicians in the United States have an average of 3,000 – 5,000 patients; however, physicians who practice concierge medicine provide personalized care for a limited number of patients by offering individuals and families the option of private membership. For a modest fee, patients have access to benefits that are currently unavailable in many primary care practices.

Concierge practices provide a solution for many who are frustrated with impersonal service and long wait times. The American Academy of Private Physician's website (www.aapp.org) is an excellent resource for learning more about the practice of concierge medicine.