The Clipboard is Gone in Direct Primary Care

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I have always been frustrated and embarrassed by our medical system’s backward thinking. We are one of the last industries still using the fax machine! This brings us to the clipboard. Why? Why? Why? It is so insane to have to fill the same crap out every time you see the doctor.

I remember returning for a follow-up on my knee replacement at age 51. I had seven left knee surgeries in my life, including two ACL repairs, all from a wrestling injury at UVa. The doctor who did the replacement was fine, but the system was a mess. In fact, when I returned for that follow-up, I was in a massive amount of pain, and yet the nurse or MA wanted to ask me all my medical history all over again. I JUST HAD SURGERY THERE!!! I refused. She said the doctor would not see me unless I answered all the questions on the clipboard. What? I said no, and she tried again, ignoring my pain and my refusal. I actually had to leave the exam room and go home. No one even called me after that to see what happened or to make a follow-up appointment. Not the staff. Not the doctor. Nice, right? And how in the hell could they not have my information?

I just loved making THE CLIPBOARD a non-issue in my Direct Primary Care office. The patient filled in their chart when they signed up. End of story. No clipboard. No questions about whether their insurance is up to date.

DPC for the win.

Again.

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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.