National Primary Care Week celebrates the vital role of primary care in shaping the future of healthcare. Organized by the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), National Primary Care Week occurs during the first week of October and highlights the importance of primary care, particularly family medicine, which serves as a lifeline for many underserved communities across the U.S. Family physicians make up the largest part of the primary care workforce, offering comprehensive care that is often the first line of defense in our healthcare system.

The goal of National Primary Care Week is to engage healthcare students, professionals, and the public in recognizing the critical role primary care plays in achieving better health outcomes. Through events, programming, and awareness, National Primary Care Week aims to reinforce the importance of primary care, especially in addressing public health issues and equitable access to care. Direct Primary Care (DPC) builds upon this foundation by offering a more personalized and patient-focused approach. 

How DPC Elevates Primary Care

Direct Primary Care enhances the benefits of traditional primary care in several ways:

• More Time for Patients: DPC doctors maintain smaller patient panels, allowing them to spend more time with each individual. Instead of the rushed, 15-minute appointments typical in traditional practices, DPC offers longer, more in-depth visits. This helps doctors address a wider range of health concerns while building meaningful patient relationships.
• Accessibility and Convenience: Patients in DPC models enjoy same-day or next-day appointments, 24/7 access to their physician through virtual communication, and no additional fees for visits. This level of access ensures that care is convenient, whether it’s for a routine check-up or a more urgent concern.
• Focus on Preventive Care: Removing administrative and insurance-related burdens, DPC doctors can prioritize preventive care. They have more time to help patients manage chronic conditions, create personalized wellness plans, and address the root causes of health problems. This proactive approach leads to better long-term health outcomes, among other advantages of the direct care model.  
• Affordability Without Insurance: DPC offers an affordable monthly fee, eliminating the confusion and costs associated with copays and deductibles. This model makes healthcare accessible to a broader range of people, including those in underserved communities.

DPC’s Impact on Underserved Communities

Family physicians often serve as the primary healthcare providers in underserved areas. DPC helps expand access by offering care at an affordable rate without the complexities of insurance. This is especially important in rural areas or lower-income communities where access to healthcare is limited, ensuring that all patients receive the personalized care they need. Data from Hint’s Employer Trends Report shows a growing number of employers are embracing DPC to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for their employees. 

DPC physicians are well-positioned to provide continuous care, addressing a wide range of medical issues without needing to rely on specialists. This makes DPC particularly impactful in areas where other forms of care are scarce.

The Future of Primary Care

As National Primary Care Week highlights the crucial role of family physicians, it’s clear that innovative models like DPC are shaping the future of healthcare. DPC offers a path forward by improving patient outcomes, enhancing accessibility, and prioritizing the patient-physician relationship.

By removing the traditional barriers of insurance and administrative overhead, DPC focuses on what matters most—caring for patients and improving their health. In this National Primary Care Week, let's celebrate the important work of family physicians and recognize the ways in which Direct Primary Care is driving change, creating a healthcare system that’s more equitable, accessible, and patient-centered.

For healthcare professionals considering launching a DPC practice, Hint’s DPC Playbook provides a step-by-step guide to help you start, manage, and grow your practice with ease. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, the DPC Playbook offers the insights needed to create a thriving DPC practice.