One of the best pieces of advice I got when starting my Direct Primary Care practice was to include “Direct Primary Care” in the name. This piece of advice came from my good friend, whom I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting in person, Dr. Doug Farrago. I listened to Dr. Farrago’s book, “The Official Guide to Starting Your Own Direct Primary Care Practice” during my commute to my insurance-based corporate job. I was actively planning, my exit, and was trying to consume every resource possible to help me leap into direct primary care. If you are plotting your exit to direct primary care, Dr Farrago’s book is a must!
I couldn’t tell you which chapter, but I remember Dr. Farrago’s voice, saying to put the phrase “Direct Primary Care” in the name of your practice so that patients can better find you. My practice is named “Sol Direct Primary Care.” I am a lover of language, and I was a Spanish major in college. I loved the name “Sol” the Spanish word for sun, because of the symbolism of healing light. Unfortunately, my thought wasn’t original, as there are two Sol Direct Primary Care practices! Shout out to my “Sol” sister Dr. Elena McAtee in New Mexico!
I digress. Patients, fed up with being treated like trash in the insurance-based care system, are starting to learn about the direct primary care difference. They are looking for us. Sure enough, when I get my Google search analytics every month, I have learned that the second most common search phrase that leads patients to my website is “Direct Primary Care Atlanta” – this phrase is second only to “Primary Care in Atlanta”
Naming your practice is a big decision, and you want the name of your practice to reflect something significant for you. As you name your practice, I would also advise you to include “Direct Primary Care” in the name. We are creating a movement, and now patients are looking for us! Don’t get buried and confused with the other primary care offices in your region. You are different. You are better. You are Direct Primary Care.
Make sure they know it!