Modern Family and Passion for Medicine

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Doug and Debbie Farrago at the Dunphy House.

Not long ago, my wife and I visited a couple of my kids in LA. One of our favorite shows is Modern Family. Yes, I know it is over, but we are almost done with it, as there are 11 seasons. Over 95% of the episodes are spot-on and hilarious. When I was there, I surprised my wife by making a side trip to the Dunphy house. She had no idea where we were going, but I told her I wanted to visit a real estate friend. She knew right away when she saw where Phil, Claire, and the rest of the gang fictitiously lived.

Now, the point of this post. One thing that has always stood out in the show was the patriarch, Jay Pritchett. He is old-fashioned, gruff, and always to the point. Maybe he reminds me of, well, me? Anyway, his passion for the most boring occupation in the world, making closets, was always a focal point in the show. He never let up on this issue.

  • Oh, I’m sorry, you mean the sanctuary where a man dons his armor in the morning and takes stock of the battle at night?!”
  • “Closets bring order to a chaotic world!”
  • “You mean the place that people start each day, choosing an outfit that gives them the confidence to achieve their dreams?”
  • And what is a city, but… a closet for civilization.”
  • “America loves closets, and I’m here to build them, damn it!”

Why do I mention this here on DPCN? Being a physician is still one of the highest respected of all professions. Multiple surveys continue to prove that. So, why do I not hear doctors being as proud as Jay Pritchett? I am not asking them to brag. Not at all. But a lot of them, especially those stuck in the system, seem to have lost the passion for the job, and that is sad to me. Yes, the system is broken, and patients are just pissed off. It is too expensive, and they can’t even get in to see their doctor. Physicians are stuck being clerical workers and doing pajama work at night. All this causes burnout or moral injury. I get it.

But…..

Direct Primary Care changes this.

It opens up a whole new world for physicians. Remember the one you dreamed of when you applied to medical school? It’s here.

You can now be passionate about medicine again because you are great at your job. You give patients the time they need. You know all your patients and care about them. You help people EVERY day.

I want this for all doctors, but especially you.

Be the Jay Pritchett of physicians.

Direct Primary Care

Now, let’s change the quotes above.

  • Oh, I’m sorry, you mean the sanctuary where patients can actually be seen and helped?
  • “Direct Primary Care brings order to a chaotic world!”
  • “You mean the place where people know their doctor and are confident in their care?”
  • And what is a DPC office but… a savior for primary care.”
  • “America loves DPC, and I’m here to promote them, damn it!”

Now go out there and kick some ass and promote National DPC Day so patients know they have a better choice.

Remember, National DPC Day is November 1, the day when people start enrolling in insurance plans. Get the word out by sending them here.

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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.