Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

So, your spouse has decided to start his/her Direct Primary Care Practice and, guess what, you are going to be working there too! Chances are this is very likely since most DPC offices work on a shoestring budget when they first start out (except for those that have that big tech or celebrity money behind them).

Do you have a medical background? Maybe yes or maybe no. Do you have a business degree? Maybe yes or maybe no. Don’t panic! This is the scenario that I faced when my husband, Doug Farrago, opened Forest Direct Primary Care seven years ago. I have a master’s degree in special education, but I do not have any training in medicine or business. In fact, I don’t really even like either one.

So, how did I survive, and yes even enjoy, working at Forest Direct Primary with my husband for six years until we recently retired in October 2020? Well, if you like socializing and connecting with people then you are all set. First impressions always matter and having patients walk in seeing a welcoming and smiling face can make all the difference. Sure, Doug also did that as did our wonderful medical assistant, Christine, but there were times when they may have been involved with other things and so I would always step in with a warm greeting and some conversation. It matters to patients to get that good feeling right when they walk into your office and it’s awfully nice for them to have someone remember and talk about things specific to them.

This I was good at. In fact, maybe sometimes too good. Remember, the office is still on a schedule as Doug would have to remind me at times. Thanks goodness, a DPC appointment is not a quick 10-15 minutes like in a traditional practice.

There are many roles you can take on as a spouse working in your spouse’s DPC practice and most of them do not require you to have a medical or business background. More to follow in future posts.

If you are a spouse (or significant other) working in a DPC office, please tell us your stories and tips. It always helps to know we are not alone. We are all in this together!

12190cookie-checkHow to Survive(and maybe even enjoy) Working in Your Spouse’s DPC Practice
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One thought on “How to Survive(and maybe even enjoy) Working in Your Spouse’s DPC Practice”
  1. Spouse/Business manager here!! I’ve always done the books since we opened in 2016, but starting in September 2020 when we moved to a larger location I now have my own office and was here afternoons, and then last month when I sold my other business I am here full time! Fortunately my husband and I get along really well and like working together, though generally he does his medical thing and I do my business thing and we stay out of each other’s way!! There’s definite advantages to being on staff – it obviously saves money, and I think our patients really love that this is a true “family business.” Our kids help out from time to time as well. I definitely agree with what Debbie had to say here, the best thing you can do is be another smiling face to welcome patients in the door, and just help out whenever you can. My “main” job is the business side of things, but I also chip in with answering phones, handing out prescriptions when patients come to pick them up, and answering general questions. I really do enjoy working here and doing whatever I can to further our business!

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