This letter suggests so:
To satisfy their compensation requirements (or perhaps to meet some quota imposed on them by HMOs or PPOs), they are cramming as many patients as possible into their schedules. This results in rushed visits, limited time for patient questions (let alone in-depth discussion), delays in being seen and so on.The current process leaves many patients (and their doctors) frustrated. Concierge doctoring offers a solution for both doctors and patients.
It provides the luxury of time, accessibility and thoroughness. The doctor does not necessarily make more money than if he or she were seeing many more patients in the same amount of time but can practice medicine at a less frantic pace.
The patient does incur additional costs, because he or she pays a fixed fee plus the normal charges for specific services provided. However, patients who elect for this medical relationship believe they get better “doctoring” and are willing to pay for it.
Based on my limited experience, I see concierge doctoring as patient-driven as much as it is doctor-driven.
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{ 2 comments }
While I agree that concierge medicine is to some part patient driven. Anytime there is a market need, in this case for the physicians additional time and attention, then Intro to Business 101 dictates that there is a market. But this market was not created by patients. It was created by frsutrated physicians seeking a better solution, a better solution for themselves and their fee paying patients.
Where I disagree is on the degree to which concierge medicine is patient driven. Patient are not signing up for thesee services in droves as people would expect. If the SIMPD.org would do a recruitment survery of new practices (hint), I’m certain it would show that average rate of recruitment is 25-50 per year. That’s why my internal research has shown. So there is no consumer rush towards these practices, yet.
The reason? While some would obviously shout, it the fee stupid!!! But I don’t think that’s the barrier. Everything worth having has fee. Most people have considerable amounts of disposable income (eg: Starbucks addicts, Plasma screen owners, blackberry users, Imusic/iphone/ipod owner, Long term care insurance plan purchasers, etc.) Look at the rise of parallel healthcare oriented businesses, Medspas, Dental spas, alternative medicine practices, noninvasive cosmetic centers. They all give reasons why consumers should pay out of pocket for these services.
Concierge Medicine needs to emphasis it’s value added services that will drive consumers to seek them out. Waiting for the patient’s out of necessity will take too long.
I personally think concierge practicioners would better served if they devoted qualified resources developing a business and a marketing plan and getting professional assitance in executing this aspect.
The old notion that doctor’s are not the best professionally equiped to “sell” this. But they can hire marketing and business specialists who can greatly assist with recruitment efforts, while the physician’s focuses on his best selling point, being a good doctor.
Visit my new blog at http://www.conciergedoc.blogspot.com(soon to be http://www.myconciergedoc.com) to hear how I my steps, and missteps in creating my own concierge practice, as well find other relevant news in the concierge industry.
Dr. Lawrence R. Brownlee, M.D. started a successful concierge medicine practice several years ago. He is located in Tustin, CA. Tustin is in Orange County, between Los Angeles and San Diego. Several of his patients suggested this type of practice to him.
http://www.mdelite.com
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