How Direct Primary Care Helped One Patient Overcome Acute and Chronic Issues
Direct primary care (DPC) is a relatively new approach to patient care that addresses the common pain points of modern healthcare, including limited patient access, lower quality of care, and increased costs. With a direct comprehensive primary care membership, patients pay a flat fee for their doctor’s office visits, including acute care, chronic condition management, and preventative care.
Let’s take a look at one executive patient’s experience as he sought a more flexible approach to healthcare that could address his acute and chronic issues, while reducing costs and improving physician access.
In accordance with HIPAA compliance laws and regulations, names and personal details have been changed to protect the identity of the patient.
Executive Direct Primary Care Patient Profile: Dan, Age 54
Like many patients, Dan had been piecemealing his medical care through a series of providers, specialists, and urgent care visits. He had a primary physician, but he always had to wait at least two weeks before getting an appointment.
Further complicating the issue, Dan’s high-level position at work made it difficult for him to keep appointments. He worked at least 55 hours per week, and his day-to-day life was prone to surprises that demanded his attention. Part of Dan’s job was overseeing the warehouse and supply chain elements of the business, which meant problems had to be solved in real-time for the sake of avoiding costly delays.
Considering Dan’s demanding schedule, his approach to healthcare was getting treatment on an as-needed basis from wherever he could get it. Typically, that meant going to urgent care. He also saw an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for chronic sinus infections.
After hearing about how ProPartners provides 24/7 direct access to their primary care providers with unlimited same-day and next-day appointments, Dan decided to sign up for an executive membership.
Phase One: Primary Care Exam, Testing, and Initial Treatment
After signing up for membership, it wasn’t long before Dan contacted his physician with what he suspected was another sinus infection. The facial pressure, headache, stuffy nose, and yellow mucus were all indicators that he may be right, but his doctor wanted to get a closer look to be sure.
Dan used his lunch break the next day to visit ProPartners for an examination. Indeed, he did have a sinus infection, so his direct primary care physician wrote him a prescription. However, Dan’s new doctor also took the opportunity to dig deeper into what may be causing it, something his former providers had yet to do because his appointments were usually rushed.
After some conversation about his home and work environments, Dan revealed that he spends a significant amount of time in a warehouse. He further explained it’s an older structure with lots of boxes and equipment being moved around by forklifts, indicating that there may be something in the air that’s triggering him.
Considering the environment, how much time Dan was spending in it, and the frequency of his sinus infections, his direct primary care doctor believed he may be experiencing an allergic reaction. His physician prescribed him nasal spray and helped arrange allergy testing at a discounted cost. The doctor also advised to wear a mask anytime he entered the warehouse to minimize his exposure.
Phase Two: Diagnosis and Subsequent Treatment
Between the medication and changes to his behavior, Dan’s sinus infection swiftly improved. As hypothesized by his primary care physician, Dan’s test results showed that he was allergic to dust and other indoor allergens commonly found in warehouses. Because the allergy-related swelling and inflammation made it easier for viruses and bacteria to enter, it explained why Dan so frequently came down with sinus infections.
Due to his job demands and varied schedule, Dan required a long-term solution that would let him continue to run his business without interfering with his health. He also wanted the bare minimum in terms of medication management.
His primary care doctor recommended allergy shots that would help Dan build a natural, long-term tolerance to triggering allergens. He was recommended to a local allergist by his physician. To address the source of what was triggering him, Dan had the warehouse deep cleaned, including the rafters, an area known for accumulating dust and grime that had long been overlooked.
As part of his executive membership, Dan also received an annual milestone health assessment, which is a comprehensive exam and series of lab tests. Dan’s blood work showed that he had elevated blood pressure, bordering on hypertension. Admittedly, Dan’s diet included a lot of high-sodium foods, and Dan told his doctor that he had a family history of heart issues on his father’s side.
However, what really stood out to Dan’s physician was his demanding schedule and the 55-hour workweeks. His physician explained that numerous studies have linked working too much with increased risk of hypertension. For the sake of his long-term health, Dan needed to find a way to reduce his hours and sodium intake.
Phase Three: Ongoing Healthcare Management
Dan received his series of allergy shots from the allergist his physician recommended. Dan also addressed warehouse cleanliness and delegated a few of his responsibilities to his team to reduce his working hours.
As the months went on, Dan had far fewer issues with his sinuses, which ultimately helped him become more productive at work. His blood pressure also improved because he scaled down his workload and made a few strategic dietary modifications. As an executive member, Dan used his access to a registered dietician, who helped him with weight management and getting his hypertension concerns under control through smart food choices.
Because acute injuries are more common in warehouses and environments that use heavy machinery, Dan has recommended numerous employees to ProPartners Healthcare. The peace of mind they have knowing their primary care doctor is only a text, phone call, or email away is invaluable.
How to Get a Comprehensive Primary Care Membership
If you’re ready for a new approach to healthcare that removes the barrier between you and your primary care doctor while improving the quality of care delivered, a ProPartner’s membership will achieve that.
A DPC membership includes 24/7 direct access to a dedicated primary care physician via phone, text, or email, thereby removing the barrier between patients and their doctors. Primary care physicians can also offer same-day and next-day appointments, either in person or virtually, ensuring all medical issues are promptly addressed.
Executive memberships are a long-term investment in a person’s health and well-being. The pre-paid annual cost of $2,400 includes all the DPC membership services, but with some additional benefits, including a waived enrollment fee, in-office procedures, discounts on imaging and lab tests, flu and tetanus shots, and unlimited dietician access.
To ensure the DPC model is available to a broad base of patients from all economic backgrounds, ProPartners offers other membership types that are covered under a flat monthly fee, including family care and children’s primary care. Our Get Started page includes our pricing structure, enrollment instructions, and a helpful FAQ section.
Call (913) 451-5709 to learn more about direct primary care or to schedule a free meet-and-greet with one of our physicians.