Direct Primary Care Statistic of the Week

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This comes from a 2024 AAFP survey:

  • Average DPC practice patient panel size is 413 patients
  • Most of the respondents described their DPC practices as full (84%)
  • 99% of practices provide same day appointments
  • On average, respondents have a total of 41 patient encounters per week. Most are seen in the office setting (27 per week) or e-visits (11 per week).
  • Monthly membership fees range from $50 to $100

I personally think some of these numbers are off. For example, 413 seems low. The average is not the median, which I think would be better and show that the 600 patients is the more typical DPC practice panel.

The problem with this survey is how it was derived:

About the 2024 American Academy of Family Physician Direct Primary Care (DPC)

Direct Primary Care (DPC) Study has been conducted in one form or another, in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024. The 2024 DPC survey was emailed to the following two audiences: 1) family physicians who are currently practicing in a DPC practice or interested in transforming to a DPC practice and 2) a random sample of AAFP members. A total of 374 surveys were received and 177 (47%) were currently practicing in a DPC practice.

So, only 177 practices. This is not bad, but we have about 3000 practices that could be surveyed now to give better info. Let’s see if a new survey doesn’t help us out even more. Even so, how do these numbers compare to fee-for-service practices? Yeah, it’s no competition. They see 80 to 100 patients per week, and the average wait time to see those doctors is 25 to 31 days.

Not even close.

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About Douglas Farrago, MD

Dr. Farrago is a retired family physician based in Forest, Virginia. Since 2021, he has run DPCnews.com, a leading resource for the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement. He is the author of three best-selling books on Direct Primary Care: The Official Guide to Starting Your Own Direct Primary Care Practice The Direct Primary Care Doctor’s Daily Motivational Journal Slowing the Churn in Direct Primary Care (While Also Keeping Your Sanity) In 2016, Dr. Farrago conceived the idea for the Direct Primary Care Alliance and co-founded the organization alongside other pioneering DPC physicians. He is widely recognized as a leading expert in the DPC model and frequently lectures to medical students, residents, and practicing physicians on how to successfully start and run their own DPC practices.Dr. Farrago sold his Direct Primary Care practice in October 2020 but continues to receive care there as a patient.