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Concierge Care vs. Traditional Medicine: What's the Difference?

Updated: Sep 15


Back to School Medication Management. Dr. Simoni Baid. Ahimsa MD. Integrative Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.

In recent years, the challenges of providing top-grade healthcare services by primary care doctors have become increasingly complicated. Today, physicians are finding it more difficult to achieve the consistent level of quality healthcare services that the public is counting on, according to an experienced holistic doctor from Miami who currently offers concierge-related care. This is directly related to rising healthcare costs in general, differences in healthcare provider business models, the number of physicians overall versus the number of patients, patient access to health insurance, and financial means to pay for their healthcare services.As a result, more physician practices are offering concierge care instead of traditional medicine models, which were the established practice in years past. So, what exactly is concierge care? and what are some of the obvious differences between these two healthcare provider service models?


Personalized Care and Communication: The concierge healthcare difference.

Some of the biggest complaints that patients have regarding their healthcare services are the long wait times for appointments and the inability to communicate with their doctor in an unrushed and calm manner. Better personalized care and enhanced communication between doctors and their patients are some of the key differences that the concierge healthcare model can provide.Since fewer primary care doctors are entering and remaining in the healthcare field today, patients have begun to notice that it takes far longer to make an appointment these days. In addition, some doctors must see larger numbers of patients in any given workday, drastically decreasing the amount of quality time that the physician can spend with each important patient during those hard-earned appointment slots.


The concierge medicine primary care business model allows physicians to keep their overall patient base numbers down. This allows the doctor to spend more time with each patient during their appointments. In addition, the doctor has more time to call patients back with answers to patient questions that come up regularly and continuously. Patients also report enjoying more personalized healthcare services overall with this patient care model. Usually, physician offices also offer same-day or next-day appointments and greater access to medical news and data through technologies such as online patient portals, which give patients access to their medical data and test results via computer or smartphone from the comforts of their own homes or even while on the go.Adult primary care doctors and other physicians can also offer other convenient patient care services like virtual appointments, access to faster doctor communications through emails and phone calls, more streamlined integrative medical specialty and testing referrals, and other related complementary or alternative healthcare services.


Integrative Medicine in a Concierge Model: How holistic care is enhanced.

Integrative medicine refers to medical services that focus on the patient as a whole person and not just addressing the current medical need usually determined by patient symptoms. Another term for this type of medical care is holistic healthcare. The doctor seeks to find the root cause of your current and ongoing ailments rather than simply treating the symptoms with drugs or other treatment measures alone. A primary care doctor offering integrative care services may also provide other alternative medical service options outside the mainstream traditional options out there.


Many physicians and their patients find that overall holistic care is enhanced when used within a concierge type of medical care model. In this model, patients typically pay a fee or retainer on an annual basis. In return, the doctor often promises to provide enhanced medical care and related services with a greater emphasis on spending more time with each individual patient. Some doctors may not accept certain types of healthcare insurance relying on these annual fees and other payment options, while other physicians use a hybrid patient service model that relies on a combination of healthcare services covered by healthcare insurance plus retainer fees.


Most physicians using this patient service method highlight patient wellness checkups and services along with other alternative medicine approaches. Many doctors believe that this patient care model keeps more patients out of Emergency Rooms and other higher-cost medical care treatment options. This is because medical problems may be caught earlier and avoided through healthy lifestyle choices and related measures.This medical care approach relies on the following:

 

  • Patient-centeredness and focus

  • Emphasis on holistic and preventative care practices

  • Enhanced healthcare access for patients

  • More intense patient teaching for at-home care

  • Enhanced doctor-to-patient communication

  • More options in care service types like virtual appointments and patient access to healthcare portals

  • Streamlined coordinated healthcare service options

  • The goal is to increase patient satisfaction and encourage better overall health

 

 

Choosing the Right Healthcare Approach for You and Your Family: Factors to Consider

Choosing the right healthcare approach for you and your family is important. This choice will impact your future health-related concerns and needs, so it should be carefully thought out.Some factors to consider prior to making a doctor selection include:

 

  • Convenience of provider location

  • Level of training and helpfulness of office staff

  • Access to healthcare records and test results

  • Your financial ability to pay for medical care costs

  • Your overall current and expected future health status and medical care needs

  • Your age and financial means related to healthcare service requirements

  • Number of family members needing this care

  • Evaluate care quality expectations versus the cost of services

  • Increased speed of care services and communication satisfaction levels between doctor, staff, and patients usually elevated

 

Find a Compassionate Miami Doctor That Offers Concierge Care Today

Discover the difference that concierge-related care can make on your health and well-being soon. Learn more about your healthcare options by contacting the friendly staff at Ahimsa MD by phone or visit us online here for appointments anytime at your convenience. 


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