In medical school, the vision is clear: build lasting relationships, take time with patients, and make a meaningful impact. By the end of residency, though, that vision often collides with a harsh reality—with long hours, administrative hurdles, and care that feels rushed and impersonal.
Rather than waiting years to reclaim the purpose that brought them into medicine, more residents are choosing a different path. Direct Primary Care offers the chance to practice on their terms right from the start.
At first glance, it might sound risky. But here’s the truth: with the right strategy and support, starting a DPC practice right out of residency isn’t just feasible—it might be the smartest move you make.
This guide explores why launching a DPC as a new grad is not only possible but promising. We'll walk through the key steps, share insights from DPC clinicians who did it, and offer resources to help you get started confidently.
For Dr. Brad Brown, founder of Strive Direct Health, a thriving DPC practice in Erie, CO, the decision to go independent wasn’t driven by one pivotal moment. It was a steady realization that the status quo wasn’t sustainable. “I didn’t want to put in 90 days’ notice to take a Friday afternoon off,” he shared. “I didn’t want to see patients for three minutes a year or fight with prior auths.”
The appeal of DPC is clear: more autonomy, more time with patients, and provide the level of care you dream about in residency.
Dr. Trevor Tsay, who launched Amity Health in Newport Beach with business partner Marshall MacDonald, echoed the sentiment: “I didn’t like being told what to do about medical decisions by people who don’t have medical degrees.”
I didn’t like being told what to do about medical decisions by people who don’t have medical degrees.” — Dr. Trevor Tsay, Amity Health
Both Dr. Brown and Dr. Tsay emphasized the importance of preparing for early cash flow gaps.
Dr. Brown suggests moonlighting during residency to cover home expenses during those first lean months. “I didn’t know what I was missing, and that made it easier,” he said.
Dr. Tsay supplemented his income by working additional clinical shifts and leaned on personal savings built during training. But financial preparation can go beyond extra hours.
Some new physicians reduce upfront pressure by delaying major personal expenses, living more leanly, or even moving in with family temporarily. Others explore small business loans designed for medical professionals, apply for local economic development grants, or crowdsource community support. A few start building early interest from future patients while still in residency, to start the revenue flow sooner.
Pro tip: Use tools like Hint’s Startup Cost Calculator and explore financing partnerships to map out your runway.
The location of a new DPC practice isn’t just about real estate—it’s about relationships, community needs, and positioning yourself where you can grow.
Dr. Brown took a deeply personal approach to early patient acquisition. While still in residency, he created a list of patients he had treated and sent each one a hand-signed letter announcing the launch of his practice. That direct, thoughtful outreach resulted in immediate signups and created a strong foundation built on trust. “Those were people who already knew me,” he said. “It was a natural way to start.”
Dr. Tsay faced a different challenge. Launching in Newport Beach, far from where he completed residency, he had no existing patient base or local network to lean on. Instead, he and his co-founder hit the ground running—attending chamber of commerce events in multiple cities, showing up at farmers markets, joining small business networking groups, and building visibility through community involvement. “We didn’t know anyone—no specialists, no patients,” he said. “We just hit the pavement.”
There’s no single path to building a panel, but one thing is essential: start with your community. Whether that’s through employer outreach, free flu shot clinics, or local meet-and-greets, the most effective growth strategies focus on trust, education, and word of mouth.
For clinicians looking to accelerate growth, Hint Connect offers tools and support for connecting with employer groups and attracting ideal patients from day one.
Coming out of residency, physicians are well equipped to care for patients, but running a business is a different skill set. Many new DPC clinicians quickly realize that launching a practice involves dozens of decisions that weren’t covered in training.
That was the case for Dr. Brown. “Knowing where to go and what to trust—that was the biggest hurdle,” he shared. “LLC vs. PLLC, setting up a website, choosing an EHR—I didn’t want to spend $500 an hour on a lawyer just to ask basic questions.”
From legal paperwork to choosing the right technology, early-stage logistics can feel overwhelming. Questions arise around:
It’s easy to get stuck in decision paralysis, but with an experienced support system, those big decisions become manageable.
Dr. Tsay reiterated the importance of finding the right partners. “I am so happy I went to the DPC Summit, as that is where I met the Hint team, which is core to my practice—managing memberships, payment, e-prescribe, texting, medical records, faxes, and scheduling. Hint has allowed my DPC to thrive.”
Hint’s Ecosystem is designed specifically to guide physicians through these foundational steps with clarity. Whether it’s connecting with trusted legal partners, selecting a billing system, or getting help designing your website, these resources simplify the backend so clinicians can stay focused on building patient relationships.
Launching a Direct Primary Care clinic straight out of residency is equal parts thrilling and uncharted. But both Dr. Brown and Dr. Tsay agreed: the challenges are worth it.
“Every time someone cancels, even if it has nothing to do with you, it feels like it does,” said Dr. Brown. “There are moments you question everything. But then someone walks in and says, ‘You changed my life,’ and it all makes sense again.”
“It’s everything you dreamed about—but you have to wake up and do all of it,” Dr. Tsay said. “Some days are wildly rewarding, and others are overwhelming. But we’re building something that lasts.”
Here’s the truth: the emotional highs and lows of launching a DPC clinic are normal. This is the reality of leaving traditional healthcare models behind and choosing to build something better that brings the autonomy, purpose, and patient relationships that so many feel are missing in the traditional system.
And for every moment of doubt, there’s a growing movement of fellow clinicians, mentors, and resources ready to walk alongside.
If you’re a resident asking, “Can I really do this?” the answer from those who have is a resounding yes.
With the right strategy, community, and tools, you can build the practice you always dreamed of, without waiting 10 years and burning out in the process.