Lessons from a Year of Running a Direct Primary Care (DPC) Practice, with Christine Li Wan Po, D.O.

In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. Christine Li Wan Po, board-certified family medicine physician and owner of Pinnacle Health, to discuss what it’s like to leave traditional employed medicine and build a direct primary care (DPC) practice.

They discuss:

  • Why she transitioned from a high-volume, insurance-based practice to direct primary care — and how it has helped her to maximize the joy in the doctor-patient relationship
  • Why direct primary care doesn’t automatically mean more income or better work-life balance, and common misconceptions about the model
  • The financial realities of starting a DPC practice, from funding startup costs and building a patient panel to determining membership fees – and when you can finally pay yourself
  • The unexpected challenges of becoming a DPC practice owner, including staffing, business operations, and setting boundaries around availability
  • The pros, cons, and limitations of the DPC model, and why she’s ultimately happy with her decision to make the switch

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Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram account!