DPC Myth #14: You have to pay a pricey consultant to teach you how to run a DPC practice
Starting a Direct Primary Care practice has never been easier. Yet some people still think that launching a DPC requires hiring an expensive consultant.
Before exploring resources or considering consultants, you must answer a fundamental question: “Do I genuinely want to build and run my own business?” Entrepreneurship demands resilience, self-direction, and comfort with uncertainty. If not, employment opportunities in DPC practices continue to grow. Physicians who value the DPC model but prefer to focus solely on patient care can now find plenty of employed positions. The choice comes down to this simple reality: either a physician possesses the will and ability to start a practice, or they pursue employment. No amount of consultant intervention will manufacture entrepreneurial drive or substitute for the owner’s commitment to learning and problem-solving. Situations where paying a consultant makes sense are exceedingly rare and the resources available today provide everything physicians need to launch successfully at minimal to no cost.
DPC conferences stand out as the single best investment for aspiring practice owners, concentrating years of collective wisdom into a few days. Beyond formal sessions, conferences create opportunities to meet physicians facing similar challenges and build connections that often evolve into lasting relationships. The DPC community has earned a reputation for generosity. Reaching out to local DPC practices almost always yields friendly, helpful responses. A simple email or phone call can provide insights about local market dynamics, patient acquisition strategies, and practical operational details that no textbook covers. Most DPC doctors remember their own startup journey and genuinely want to help others succeed.
Books, blogs, and podcasts offer comprehensive guidance at little to no cost. DPC Alliance serves as the primary nonprofit organization, offering educational content and networking opportunities. DPC Coalition and DPC Action focus on policy work. Facebook groups serve as the ongoing hub where DPC physicians exchange information and solve problems daily, though most operate as secret or closed communities requiring invitation which is another reason to attend conferences and build genuine connections.
Physicians possess the intelligence, work ethic, and problem-solving skills needed to launch successful DPC practices. What they need isn’t expensive consulting—it’s access to the right information and connections with supportive peers. Those resources exist in abundance. The physicians who succeed in DPC are those who commit to learning, lean on community wisdom, and persist through inevitable challenges.
Resources to begin your DPC journey:
Associations
Vendor Start up resources
Hint Health- https://www.hint.com/startup
AtlasMD- https://startupkit.atlas.md/
Elation- https://www.elationhealth.com/resources/ebooks/direct-care-playbook
Conferences/Events
Books
Other Media
Facebook Groups
DPC Docs – Core DPC group.
Pediatricians who do DPC
DPC Women
Direct Primary Care Alliance Group
Regional DPC groups
Direct Primary Care – Public group. Questionable content.
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.
