Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Family physicians are patient specialists

Aaron George, DO
Physician
September 4, 2012
291 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

Many recent conversations in the advancing world of health care delivery have integrated the term “disruption.” At first glance, this is perhaps quite jarring and counter-intuitive to the mind of the forward or progressive thinker. It is ever the more uncomfortable to the medical mind that is trained to carry on in the face of adversity, through exhaustion, and despite resistance. Paradigmatically, the medical world has recently been presented with progress and innovation through abrupt disruption of the modern model.

Much of the context and logistics have been borrowed from the business community, and the Harvard Business school’s teaching on “Disruptive Innovation”. To bring matters close to home, Clayton Christensen translated the idea directly to the medical community in 2008 with “The Innovator’s Prescription – A Disruptive Solution for Health Care.” The premise is that for health care to truly move forward, we cannot accept a gradual or trajectory change – we need to replace a broken system.

I think the book is brilliant, and students and physicians alike should at least look at an executive summary. I hope that this would be an appropriate forum to offer considerations as to how the family physician can successfully embrace such “Disruptive Innovation” for the future of health care.

The proposed solution includes discarding the current fee for health care service model, supplementing precision intervention with individualized-care, and facilitating patient-patient coalescence and interaction. Interestingly, a key for Christensen is the expansion of the primary care workforce – but his recommendations promote an increase in mid-level providers. Further, he hints at diminishing the scope of practice of the primary care physician. If there ever was a time for family physicians to wake up, take a deep swig of coffee, and prepare to be leaders riding the wave of change – it is now. Following, are my considerations, tailored to thoughts on how family physicians can integrate into a disruptive discussion.

1. Embrace technological change. Let me be frank – the days of the omniscient and omnipresent family doctor are past. We cannot argue this, because our patients now posses more information in the palm of their hands then we collectively engage during the duration of our training. This is great news! This change empowers us into the role of patient facilitator. We no longer need reside in a world of regurgitator of information – rather we can be an intuitive examiner that arrives on the scene to decipher information and make recommendations.

In the greater conversation on “disruption” in medicine, this term of “intuition” keeps coming up.  It is a direct outgrowth of advances in technology that allow medicine to become ever more “precise”, or “cookbook,” if you like. As precision improves, skill, education, and experience become less requisite.  This is simply because we know that if we do X, we can almost certainly guarantee Y.  In contrast to this precision-focus is intuitive medicine; though the two do often work in concert.  Family physicians must continue to position themselves within the world as intuitive investigator – utilizing a unique skill-set that transcends technology and testing.

The next step is not limited to the acceptance of technological advancement – in effect the buying of new computers and electronic medical records.  Rather, it is taking these devices and their near limitless application and allowing the frame-shift to adaptively respond practice and expectation for the next generation of family physicians.

2. Be a patient specialist. The goals of disruptive change for medicine assume that increasing specialization will necessarily move the profession towards ever increasing division of responsibilities.  We have come quite a long way, already, in the past twenty years in this direction – and some would suggest we need to go further.  I think we must accept this as an inevitable consequence; one that springs from the aforementioned technological complexities thrown into a tornado of rapid turnover in evidence based medicine and treatment preferences.

Framing family physicians as patient specialists removes the burden of the current trend towards super-specialization and subdividing care.

I suppose this can best be imagined as the focus of the lens one chooses to look at patients for whom they care.  Many physicians deftly employ the magnifying glass, or even a microscope, to analyze the minute and detailed aspect of a patient’s condition.  I would like to consider that family physicians know how to pick up a microscope, when needed, but choose to look at the world with the naked eye.  Standing back, from this perspective, the whole patient comes into focus, and the examination extends to family, friends, community, and the long-range, big picture.

The perspective of diabetes, for example, is very different when viewed from that of practice, community, or population health as a whole, then when examining a renogram or even an individual nephron.  The instigating factors, barriers, complications, and burdens can look quite different, depending upon where one is standing.

Change, in any form, necessitates the overcoming of barriers. Altering habits, embracing new information and patterns, and investing time are challenging enough – then we add a price tag to the equation. I believe that much of medicine is based upon expectations – those that we have of ourselves and those that our patients hold. Choosing to ignore or slow play technology, we let our patients down and we cast an antiquated shadow on our practice. We should look to embrace the value of infinite access to information, the internet, and social networking – and allow these to transform both scope and practice. Proactivity, in this regard, is the best medicine – even if some see it as the toughest to swallow.

Aaron George is a family practice resident who blogs at 
Future of Family Medicine.

Prev

View medical apps with caution, just like any new medical device

September 4, 2012 Kevin 0
…
Next

After the ER visit, the financial nightmare begins

September 5, 2012 Kevin 7
…

Tagged as: Primary Care

Post navigation

< Previous Post
View medical apps with caution, just like any new medical device
Next Post >
After the ER visit, the financial nightmare begins

More by Aaron George, DO

  • How to set a realistic bar in family medicine

    Aaron George, DO
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Are we providing health care, or just delivering health?

    Aaron George, DO
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Online physician access is key to future patient communications

    Aaron George, DO

More in Physician

  • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

    Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH
  • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

    Jeffrey A. Singer, MD
  • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

    Ton La, Jr., MD, JD
  • How can there be joy in medicine if there is no joy in Mudville?

    Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA
  • Physician entrepreneurs offer hope for burned out doctors

    Cindy Rubin, MD
  • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

    Elizabeth Cerceo, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

      Juliet Morgan and Meghan Jobson | Physician
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • Unlocking the secrets of cancer conferences: an end-of-life counselor’s journey among pharmaceutical giants

      Althea Halchuck, EJD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored
    • A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

      Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Physician
    • From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Catching the Optimal Amount of Z's May Be Protective Against Long COVID
  • Treating Early Hospitalization Blood Pressure Deemed a No-No for Patient Safety
  • Addressing Burnout in an Invisible Part of the Health Workforce
  • Family-Oriented Sedation Protocol Helps Kids With ASD Manage Routine Healthcare
  • Bariatric Surgery in Kids With Obesity Becoming More Common

Meeting Coverage

  • New Model Aims to Study Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease
  • Hypertension Tied to Worse Survival After Surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancers
  • The Role of Amyloid PET in the Management of Alzheimer's Disease
  • New Inflammation Inhibitor Proves Effective and Safe for Dry Eye Disease
  • No Access to Routine Healthcare Biggest Barrier to HPV Vaccination
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

      Juliet Morgan and Meghan Jobson | Physician
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • Unlocking the secrets of cancer conferences: an end-of-life counselor’s journey among pharmaceutical giants

      Althea Halchuck, EJD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored
    • A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

      Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Physician
    • From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...