A DAY IN THE LIFE OF DPC ~ PATIENT NURSE & DOCTOR 

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This may be a fluff piece. 

This may be so routine to every DPC doctor out there. 

BUT this is still important.  Still relevant. Still our WHY. 

PATIENT 

            7:45 am           Email doctor. Have a sick child at home w sore throat and fever.  

                                    Not feeling well myself; UTI symptoms started last night.

                                    Any appts available? 

            8:05 am           Response received. 

            9:15 am           Appointments for both mom and child. No wait time. 

                                    Greeted by friendly nurse who knows the family. 

                                    Throat swab and urinalysis obtained prior to seeing doctor.

            9:48 am           Out the door with Rxs in hand. Antibiotic for strep. Another for UTI. 
                                    Even had time to discuss strategy & treatment to prevent UTIs. 

            10 am              GRATEFUL for DPC. So simple & personal in a complicated system.

NURSE 

            7:45 am           Quick text to doctor boss: Running a few minutes late due to traffic.

            8:05 am           Response received: No worries. Won’t go on your permanent record.

            8:10 am           Arrive. Prepare for the day:

                                    Review schedule and assure lab is in order.

            9 am-3 pm      Steady stream of scheduled patients: follow-ups, sick visits, and a CPE. 

                                    30+ minutes for each allows for conversations & un-rushed visits. 

                                    A few favorite patients today for just labs. Nice to chat w them. 

                                    While they’re here, let’s get those meds refilled. Ok, thank you.

            4 pm                GRATEFUL for DPC. 

                                    Able to really care for and connect w patients. 

                                    Have mastered new skills (phlebotomy, triage).

                                    Home every day for dinner w family. 

DOCTOR
            7:45 am           Arrive to a calm, quiet office. 

                                    Answer emails. Send results from yesterday’s labs. 

                                    Review today’s schedule. Prep for what each pt may need: 

                                       EKG, labs, med refills, forms completed …

            9 am-3 pm      Patient appts. Some simple. Some complicated. 1 or 2 fun ones.

                                    Have time to review a guideline or look up a new medication. 

                                    Plenty of time to have meaningful discussion re lifestyle choices.

                                    Notes completed following each appointment.

            Noon               Swing home, grab lunch & let dogs out. Luxury of living 5min from office. 

            4 pm-close      Tie up loose ends. Return calls. 

                                    GRATEFUL, SO SO GRATEFUL for DPC!

                                    Love medicine now. Able to practice with confidence & purpose.

It’s been said before, but it’s worth saying again and again and again. 

DPC is a WIN WIN WIN.

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About Amy Walsh, MD

Family always comes first: I am married to Whitey and can't imagine life without him. I have 4 great kids who screw up from time to time; but they are still pretty damn cool. Dog mom to 2 yellow labs who are exhausting and messy, but we love them. Happy DPC doctor since 2015 as the system wore me down and made me miserable. Luckily I found DPC. I found “my people” and never looked back. DPC was my best career decision without a doubt. Former varsity gymnast at the University of Michigan: I refer to those years as my “first life.” I learned about hard work, goal setting, and most importantly the value of true friendship. Hey, did you know UM gymnastics won NCAA Natty in 2021. Such a proud moment.Go Blue! Have been accused of being Type A, OCD, perfectionist, competitive. I may agree with most of those, but prefer words like focused, determined and committed. See? I have learned to use those all to my advantage.