Episode #58: We have to look at where the future of medicine is going! With Dr. Brittany Busse

Dr. Brittany Busse is a Co-Founder of ViTel Health, a champion for independent physician practices and equitable care, and a Lifestyle Medicine and Food as Medicine patient advocate. In this engaging episode, Brittany discusses the background behind leaving her surgical residency, her early experiences with telemedicine, how it propelled her to form her technology company and subsequent medical group, what she is doing to support physicians, and what she wants other physicians to know. Brittany talks about difficult times during her residency training in general surgery; “I struggled to fit in with the culture.” “You have to say no to yourself over and over again.” “I was told, you’re not serious enough; you’re not dedicated enough to be a surgeon.” “My life just became one struggle after another, my health started to decline, it seemed like no matter what I did I wasn’t good enough, I just wanted out!” Brittany found a way to move forward, and she discusses her foray into telehealth, where she saw doctors really being taken advantage of. She says it kept getting worse and worse every year. In response, Brittany started ViTel Health, and added remote monitoring and health coaching, which evolved into ViTel Health Physician Services Cooperative. All of the physicians involved are completely independent; they can take advantage of shared purchasing. “We’re real doctors who just want to help real people!” We have a conversation about hybrid practice models; it’s not all or nothing; telehealth is one tool. Doctors are taking back control of care delivery, and the environment of care delivery!