Should I Switch to Concierge Medicine?

/
 
should you switch to concierge care
 

Deciding to change your primary care provider is no small decision. Frequently, the choice comes down to patient care: how much time their doctors allot for each appointment, whether their doctors go in-depth when discussing their health, and so on. As doctors struggle to keep up with all of their patients, getting high-level care isn’t easy. For many people, the answer is concierge (or membership) medicine.

With membership medicine, physicians have fewer patients and more flexibility. The patient has far more access to and time with their physician, which in turn fosters better communication and a stronger healthcare partnership.

If you think that membership medicine might be a good fit for you, take a moment to consider these brief questions about your current health experiences:

  • Can I easily obtain a same or next day appointment with my doctor?

  • Has my doctor worked out a list of health goals for me, and how to accomplish them?

  • Do I spend only a very few minutes in my doctor's waiting room?

  • Is my doctor, or an on-call doctor, available 24/7?

  • Can my doctor greet me by name?

  • Is my annual physical exam thorough, and does the doctor go over the results with me, in detail?

  • Does my medical practice offer fitness and nutrition counseling in coordination with the doctor?

  • Does my doctor take their time during our appointments, without checking the clock?

If you answered no to most of these questions, then membership medicine might be just the thing for you! At WellcomeMD, we make a point to prioritize your time and your health. Our approach includes features that are rarely seen in this day and age, such as same-day appointments, a “waitless” waiting room, and appointments lasting at least a half-hour or more.

Other important points include:

  • Physician access day and night, seven days a week

  • "Gold standard" annual physical examinations

  • Fitness and nutrition counseling

  • Coordination of specialist care, and referrals

  • The doctor can go with you to see specialists

  • Hospital visits

  • Assistance with a second opinion for treatment options

If you’re interested in learning more about how Wellcome MD can offer you the personalized care you deserve, visit https://www.wellcomemd.com/what-we-do/

Source material:

WellcomeMD's Approach to Concierge Medicine

  • A "waitless" waiting room

  • Same-day appointments

  • Physician access day and night, seven days a week

  • Half-hour appointments (or longer, as needed)

  • "Gold standard" annual physical examinations

  • Fitness and nutrition counseling

  • Coordination of specialist care, and referrals

  • The doctor can go with you to see specialists

  • Hospital visits

  • Assistance with a second opinion for treatment options


A Checklist for Considering Concierge Care

If you’re weighing the possibility of membership in a concierge practice, take a moment to answer these brief questions about your current health experiences...

  • Can I easily obtain a same-day appointment with my doctor?

  • Has my doctor worked out a list of health goals for me, and how to accomplish them?

  • Do I spend only a very few minutes in my doctor's waiting room?

  • Is my doctor, or an on-call doctor, available 24/7?

  • Can my doctor greet me by name?

  • Is my annual physical exam thorough, and does the doctor go over the results with me, in detail?

  • Does my medical practice offer fitness and nutrition counseling in coordination with the doctor?

  • Does my doctor seem rushed during our conversations, with "one eye one the clock?"