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 Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts! This episode is brought to you by the Physician Side Gigs job board. Whether you’re interested in exploring jobs with private practices owned by our physician members or hospital systems, our job board features opportunities directly with the hiring company without having to work with a third-party recruiter, allowing you to control your search under your terms. If you’re considering a move or want to list an opportunity, visit physiciansidegigs.com/job-board to learn more.    Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram account!