The Schrödinger DPC Doctor: Example #1

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I am the editor of DPC News. I am also retired as a physician (and old). I really don’t have any skin in the game over the “friendly” debates that go on in Direct Primary Care. For example, you may have noticed the articles by Kenneth Q and Vance Lassey. Both are contributors here on this site and I am friends with both of them. I think these are great conversations. I also want DPC News to allow all opinions and I rarely edit anything. That being said, I also write articles here with have my own opinion. So, here we go.

First , what is an example of a Schrödinger’s DPC Doctor? Here is one:

A Direct Primary Care physician who is simultaneously escaping the system and third parties yet wants to get back into a relationship with them at the same time. 

This is NOT an attack on anyone in particular though I am sure someone will take it personally because that’s human nature. But let’s be clear, this Schrödinger’s DPC Doctor definition which shows the contradiction of leaving a relationship while also trying to get back in it is a conundrum (say that five times fast).

We haven’t been shy here on DPCN and I have written my fair share about DINOs ever since I came up with the term. I also have been accosted by people for my opinion on this. I remember this happening at the DPC Summit when some recent MBA graduate was grilling me why I would be against working with the government or third parties. I asked him to give me examples where it has worked for physicians in the past. He had no answer, said some verbal diarrhea, and then got mad at me.

Personally, I think it is a major mistake to make deals with the government. Why? They will promise you a great deal and then change the rules in a few years. They have done this before and physicians fall for it every time. And not just the government. Third parties like hospitals and corporations also run the same scam. Promise the world and then slowly change the rules. It happened to me a few times while I was employed.

Here’s is my challenge. I will be more open being convinced on this issue if the person trying to convince me has no secondary gain in the outcome. If that person doesn’t stand to gain financially, politically, or anything else you can think of then it lends credibility to their point.

But I can be wrong. What do you think?

(Why is this Example #1? There are more examples of being a Schrödinger DPC Doctor. I will post more later.)

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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.