This article called 9 Mental Distortions That Are Sabotaging Your Social Life relates directly to being a Direct Primary Care doctor. This is why there is such a social and psychological piece to building your practice.
Below is shortened version from the article but my thoughts are in parentheses.
1. You underestimate how much you’ll enjoy talking to a stranger. – Studies find that when you do strike up a conversation with a stranger, the interaction is more welcomed, enjoyable, and mood-boosting than expected. (Instead of being a cog in a machine you actually have to interact with people in DPC to tell them what you do and you will realize the conversation is actually enjoyable. This goes for speaking to patients in the office as well as doing “elevator pitches”. You will end up enjoying it. And wait until you hang out with other new DPC docs at the DPC Summit. It is one big “Kumbaya” party.).
2. You underestimate how much new acquaintances like you. Researchers call the mismatch between what you think people think of you and what they really do think of you “the liking gap,” and it can last a long time. (Get out there, join organizations or clubs, meet people, and build your practice. Show them that docs are real people, too.).
3. You underestimate how much people will care about intimate disclosures.In reality, research shows that people care about the more intimate details of your life more than you think. You don’t want to overshare, of course, but don’t stubbornly stick to only the shallowest of conversations, either. (This is why sharing some stories on FB or Tik Tok has worked so well for DPC Docs to create a following.).
4. You underestimate how much someone else will be thinking about you after conversing. “Studies demonstrate that people remain on their conversation partners’ minds more than they know” and “remember their stories [and] revisit their advice.” (This is why personal interactions is so sticky and the best way to advertise is to get out there.).
5. You underestimate how willing people are to help you. But studies show that people are much more likely to comply with requests for help than people predict and feel more positively about giving this help than people expect. Folks very often want to help, and they feel good when they’re able to do so. (Asking patients to spread the word about your new DPC practice sounds like a lot but it isn’t.).
6. You underestimate how hesitant someone will feel to ask you for help. “Well, if they needed help, they would ask for it.” Probably not. (This is one for all DPC docs. Ask for help if you need it. And do it early. Not a year into practice when you only have four patients. It’s ok to be vulnerable. I never judge or charge to help someone. And you are not putting me out. The DPC Alliance is always there to help, too.).
7. You underestimate how much your appreciation will be appreciated. Research shows that people overestimate how awkward receiving an expression of gratitude will make someone feel and underestimate how much the person will appreciate it. Never hesitate to express your gratitude to others. (This one is self-explanatory. Thank others. Be grateful to those who helped you leave the system. And thank your patients as well.).
8. You underestimate the positive impact of giving a compliment. Offer praise regularly and freely. (This is important for us to compliment the progress of our patients. It shows you care.).
9. You underestimate how much someone will appreciate you checking in with them. Research finds that people appreciate a check-in message more than you’d think, and the more distant you’ve been, and the more surprising the message is, the more it makes their day. (This is the most critical one for DPC. Nothing blows patients away more than sending and text or email a few days after you see them and ask how they are doing. They LOVE it and you will too. You don’t have to check in on everyone but just pick a few a day. Patients will brag to EVERYONE they see. “My doctor is awesome!”).
What do you think? Any others come to mind?