DPC Myth #12: You will regret the decision to start a DPC practice

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When I run into doctors I used to work with in the system, there’s a clear difference in their demeanor—and in their eyes. To be fair, I may or may not be a ball of energy, but there was a time when that light was dimmed. There was certainly a time when just talking about my job, about medicine, about anything in my line of work, seemed to drain the life out of me.

Now, I spill over with exuberance and joy. It’s difficult to contain, and even harder to explain. I still don’t always feel like I know exactly what I’m doing, but I sure as hell love doing all of it. That’s a far cry from where I was just two years ago.

I haven’t taken a true vacation in almost two years—and while that might sound terrible, I feel more rejuvenated than ever. Don’t worry, two new DPC docs in town might soon share cross-coverage with me (yay us!).

I dream again.
I have ambition again.
I read again—actually read! I study my patients and their conditions. I have time to call them back and chat about their concerns, as well as our families.

In short, you couldn’t pay me enough to go back to the life in medicine I had before. I’m not naïve enough to think everyone will find this same kind of joy—but if you’re honest with yourself, you already know whether it’s still there for you.

Meanwhile, I imagine my younger self smiling and saying, “It’s about time.”

Note: The photo above was taken on a medical mission trip to a village in Peru, during the summer between my first and second year of medical school.

This DPC Mythbuster Series aims to debunk the most common fears, misconceptions, and half-truths that deter doctors from embracing Direct Primary Care. These opinions are from each individual blogger. You may or may not agree with them, but either way, leave a comment with your thoughts. 


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About Angela Andrews, MD

Dr. Angela Andrews is a board-certified Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician, health coach, wife, mom, and lifelong athlete. When not spending time with her family or caring for her patients, she is training for her next competition. Dr. Andrews graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and worked at General Electric Healthcare Wisconsin for nearly five years before returning to her dream of becoming a doctor. She received her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She completed her Med-Peds residency at the Detroit Medical Center & Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, MI. After 8 years in the system, Dr. Andrews opened Seeds of Health Direct Primary Care in Grand Rapids, MI in February 2014. Her personal journey with fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine training was a key factor in her decision. She spent years trying to figure out how to incorporate this experience into a “standard” clinical practice, before finding a natural fit within Direct Primary Care. Dr. Andrews is passionate about helping patients address the root cause of their mental and physical conditions and guiding them to cultivate healthy habits around exercise, good nutrition, and mental well-being. Dr. Andrews lives in Byron Center, Michigan, with her husband and exercise companion, Joseph VanEss, their son, Myles, and her two bonus children, Griffen and Quinne. She engages in various fitness activities (CrossFit, running, swimming, yoga, and bodybuilding) and enjoys gardening, tackling projects around the house, and building things out of wood.