Imagine If You Had A Crystal Ball and Could See the Future

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I saw the above being highlighted on LinkedIn. There were a lot of “thumbs up” and pats on the back for publishing this. The full article is here.

From the author, Yashaswini Singh, PhD:

My new study in Health Affairs examines private equity investments in primary care. We find that PE-acquired practices can expand access to preventive care — driven in part by greater reliance on advanced practice providers. This finding is a reminder that we must resist simple narratives about PE in health care. An accompanying Brown University press release offers broader context and implications for clinicians and policymakers.

Here is the key line:

GREATER RELIANCE ON ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS

I wonder how this would work with Direct Primary Care?

Hmmmm.

Is there any chance Private Equity would bastardize the term, hire very few real doctors, employ gaggles and gaggles of advanced practice providers, shorten visits, and make it turnstile and impersonal family healthcare?

If I had a crystal ball, and using EVERY other past experience from PE, then it would say a resounding YES.

But this will take time for them to convince the public about DPC or membership medicine, though. Oh, it’s coming but they want their money quick, and they want a 10x return.

Let’s go back to that crystal ball and see if there is any large group of patients that can be corralled in one big swoop. Ah, yes, it’s becoming clearer now. I see it. The fog has lifted. The answer is…..big employers.

There is the PE/DPC future for you. And that is why they call me Nostradougus.

Enough for now, let me work on finding out who wins next year’s Superbowl. It’s looking like the Patriots.

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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 but continues to receive care there as a patient.