“Take your watch off before you enter the room with your patients.”
“Take your watch off before you enter the room with your patients.”
Contrary to what people may think. I do not take off my watch off when I go in to see my patients. This quote was my mother’s metaphor for unhurried, focused care. However, I do incorporate this ideal in how I have always practiced.
I like to hear people out when they have concerns, not just tell them to come back for any additional questions. We may not have the answers immediately, but we will start the process.
What Does Unhurried Care Actually Look Like?
Visits are set by the time you need, not by a specific 15 minute slot whether you will need more time or not. For example, coming out of the hospital you may need more time and there will be flexibility to manage that. If you want to come in for an ear ache or sore throat you may want to just get in to be seen and the get home to rest. For complicated gyn visits or discussions of hormone replacement therapy it may be long discussion to review and to understand options.
There are times that you will require more time just to talk and I believe those conversations are better in real time rather than with endless delays.
How Does Concierge Medicine Address Access?
Concierge medicine works because a smaller panel, 350 patients changes the math. Fewer patients leaves room for longer visits, same day appointments and even house calls and virtual visits when needed. There is no middle person between you and your physician deciding when you need to be seen and for how long.
So, I have longer appointments so the time necessary for the visit can be determined by the call, text or email to the office or to me directly. I leave time for same day for emergencies. In addition, labs are reviewed at the time of visit or after. Your choice.
This model of care is not complicated but cannot be done with 2000 patients alone with one physician. However in a concierge model you see your physician and are not always sent to urgent care and you are dealt with in an office that knows you and your concerns and gives you time to voice them.
My daughter once told me that I made it look easy. When you love what you do it is definitely easier, however it does not mean that you do not reach threshold when patients are all given 15 minute visits because schedule is set and as a physician, you cannot request to see a patient because all spots have been filled.
In our office, no one is turned away if they are late because Cape traffic has tied them up. We will have a comfortable and safe place to sit and relax until you can be seen.
Ready for a doctor who actually has time for you?
Dr. Anna Manatis built The Doctor's In around one idea — your visit gets the time it needs, not the time a schedule allows. Start with a meet and greet.
