The Path to Your DPC Dream

Posted on by

You have heard many DPC physicians talk about their journeys, and you may have heard them say “You’ve seen one DPC practice, you’ve seen just one DPC practice.”  Each practice is different, unique, and in essence, an extension of the visionary Physician(s) who created that practice, expressing their personalities and interests with the decor, the paint, the color and the logo design.

And along that same note, each individual’s path is different.  When I started my journey, it was by accident.  A large corporation was partnering with Iora Health (at that time) to create an employer-sponsored DPC practice.  Thrust into a world of innovation and new ideas and breaking boundaries, I had no idea what could be possible.  All I know is it felt amazing, and I felt I could be the doctor who I wanted to be.

Fast forward years later, in 2019, when I quit my C-suite job to start my DPC practice, I was faced with the challenge of how I was going to fund it.  Would I seek investors?  Would I take a loan?  My wife and I came to an agreement: she would hold the fort financially, and I would follow this path, but I could not take a loan, and I could not take money away from the family.

I remember reading books and talking to other DPC doctors as to how they did it.  Some gave up their cars, took loans on their houses.  Some started with amazing and beautiful offices.  And a part of me was envious that they could start so quickly.  I had two small rooms, renting from a Psychic medium, and that was it.  The energy felt amazing, and I had no idea what I was building or doing, but I started with no patients, no pre-enrollment, nothing.

I kept trying to look at other doctors’ paths and saw how fast they grew, and how active they were on social media.  For my first year, I didn’t want to show my face on social media – who wants to know?  I was so used to being “taught” that marketing was “corporate marketing”: stock photos, brand guidelines, great pictures.  That’s all I knew of.  I wasn’t a dancer, heck I could barely walk!  (Okay, fine, I did reach that milestone as a child).  

And then how was I going to pay for this with the stipulations my wife gave me?  I worked multiple jobs, did overnight shifts, worked at some of the highest security prisons, worked at the VA, and took my time to build this.  And over the years, I would still compare myself and wonder that I’m not doing enough.  I have heard and seen many DPC practices fail in my state, or turned back into an insurance-based model.  And that was one thing I was certain of: I am not wasting my time with billing and coding or submitting claims.  

It is only recently along this journey that I have finally become comfortable with my own DPC Dream Path: slow, steady, intentional.  Beating the drum at the grassroots, meeting with local people, and being able to express not DPC, but MY PERSONAL philosophy of medicine which happens to be in the DPC model.  It was interesting to figure out what I was leading with: DPC or myself.  And while I was leading with DPC initially, somewhere I learned to lead with myself.  And somewhere, I also learned that no matter how many books you read on DPC, how many templates you follow, whether or not you get a consultant, like your practice, your journey will also be an extension of your own life story.  So take that moment, listen to others but be prepared to not follow them, and embrace your journey and yourself.

1

About Vasanth Kainkaryam, MD

Dr. Kainkaryam is a "Doctorpreneur" and Founder of 4 Elements Direct Primary Care, and host of the 4 Elements of Health Care Podcast is a triple board-certified Internist, Pediatrician, and Obesity Medicine specialist, and holds a Masters in Health Informatics. He has held a variety of roles as a community physician and regional medical director in a large health system, as a medical director of a healthcare startup, a Chief Medical Officer of a federally qualified health center and a Physician at the VA and at correctional institutions. 4 Elements Direct Primary Care & Wellness Space is his "ikigai" - a convergence of his previous experiences, as he disrupts the traditional model of health care by infusing his personal philosophies of care with evidence-informed medicine and personalized care. He is evolving his practice into the 4 Elements Vitality Institute, which is under construction and also is the Chief Medical Officer of a men's health startup called Bastion Health. Dr. Kainkaryam's "4E Philosophy" is how he works with his patients: engage, educate, empower and encourage. Similarly, his podcast focuses on four elements while looking at the healthcare experience through the lens of the patient: the doctor, patient, system and society. He is an author of a children's book titled "To See the World: A Rose-Colored Perspective," a husband to an Anesthesiologist and a father of three daughters, and assures us that despite his fascination with the number four, he is planning on keeping his number of children at three! You can follow him on social media at @the.doctor.vk