This episode of the DPC Pediatricians Podcast, hosted by Dr. Phil Boucher and Dr. Marina Capella, explores the unique benefits of Pediatric Direct Primary Care (DPC) from the patient's perspective and emphasizes why families embrace the DPC model.

Key Highlights

Text-Based Communication

* Texting the doctor is the most popular feature among millennial and Gen Z parents who dislike phone calls; most pediatric DPC practices offer easy text-based communication.

* Doctors can handle 60-75% of questions (such as rashes, feeding, or daycare return queries) virtually, which saves families from unnecessary office visits.

* Parents appreciate quick reassurance via text, enabling convenience and lowering anxiety — “having a pediatrician in your diaper bag”.

Personalized Relationships and Availability

* DPC pediatricians typically have smaller patient panels and spend more time getting to know each child and family, supporting tailored recommendations and building trust.

* Scheduling systems and automation allow doctors to check in on specific concerns proactively (e.g., scheduled text updates after a sick visit).

* Patients feel valued, are not just “a number,” and rarely experience long waiting times — they have a direct relationship with fewer, familiar providers.

Flexible Access and Team Approach

* In Phil's practice, families can schedule appointments online at any time.

* For coverage, practices introduce substitute pediatricians well in advance to ensure continuity and comfort when the main doctor is unavailable.

* Team members are chosen for their expertise (e.g., asthma or anxiety), and families actively request to see specific providers based on their needs.

Extended Visit Times and Child-Centric Care

* Physicals and sick visits in DPC practices are much longer (up to an hour), allowing thorough discussion and a relaxed environment for both parents and children.

* Doctors discuss family context (work changes, deployments), and adapt care accordingly.

* Visits are child-friendly — playtime and gradual introductions reduce anxiety for toddlers, contrasting with rushed, institutional settings.

Summit Announcement

* Phil and Marina invite listeners to register for the upcoming Pediatric Direct Care Virtual Summit (September 17-19), designed for practitioners at all stages to learn about DPC operations, finances, and marketing. Recordings are available for registrants.

In summary: The DPC model delivers high convenience, direct access, trusted relationships, flexible scheduling, and an anxiety-reducing experience for families and children — key reasons why patients are so satisfied with Pediatric Direct Primary Care.

This podcast episode from DPC Pediatricians, featuring Dr. Phil Boucher and Dr. Marina Capella, focuses on the various fears physicians face when starting or growing a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice, especially in pediatrics.

Key Highlights

Financial Fears

* The most cited fear is financial risk—concerns about income loss, managing startup costs, and whether the practice will be financially viable.

* Specific worries include affording personal expenses, losing benefits like health insurance, managing student loan payments, and depleting savings.

* Strategies to manage financial fears include starting with a small budget, working part-time at another job (PRN), building a financial buffer, or obtaining a startup loan—something most other small businesses do regularly.

Business Management Fears

* Many physicians fear managing a business because they typically lack formal business education in medical training and often feel unprepared for tasks like hiring staff, handling payroll, or managing finances.

* Phil and Marina emphasize that “all business skills are learnable,” pointing to the abundance of online resources, courses, and AI tools to support new practice owners.

* Hiring professionals like accountants or clinic managers over time can offload responsibilities, but initial control and learning are essential.

Fear of Being Alone or Losing Community

* Starting a practice solo can feel isolating, especially transitioning from collaborative environments.

* The episode highlights the importance of building community: connecting with local DPC physicians (even outside of pediatrics), joining business networking groups, and attending in-person or virtual DPC events like Masterminds and summits.

Discomfort with Asking for Money

* Discussing payment directly with patients feels unnatural for many physicians due to lack of previous experience and cultural norms within the profession.

* Overcoming this discomfort comes with practice and understanding the value offered to patients; not every family will find the model a fit, and that is normal.

Fear of Not Being an Expert

* Many feel unqualified to market themselves as more than generalists, especially when pursuing fields like integrative or behavioral medicine without extensive extra certifications.

* Both hosts encourage embracing continuous learning and recognizing that being an expert is relative—the physician will usually know more than the patient, and expertise grows incrementally through practice and further education.

DPC Pediatrician Resources Mentioned

* The hosts mention resources like online courses on DPC finances, free startup guides, and opportunities for community engagement through summits and masterminds for further support.

Episode Summary

This episode provides practical insights and reassurance for pediatricians and other physicians considering or building a direct primary care model, reinforcing that fears are manageable and success is achievable with patience, support, and persistent learning.

Podcast Summary:In this episode of DPC Pediatricians, Dr. Phil Boucher and Dr. Marina Capella dive into a fundamental question for anyone starting a Direct Primary Care (DPC) pediatric practice: What equipment do you really need at the beginning?

Key Highlights:

Start Lean and Grow as You GoNew DPC pediatricians often over-purchase equipment trying to mirror traditional practices. The hosts emphasize starting with only what’s essential — many fancy tools can wait or be added later.

Clinical Essentials FirstMust-have items include: stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, infant + adult scales, and basic vitals tools. You don’t need expensive versions to provide great care.

You Don’t Need a Fully Stocked Exam RoomDr. Marina recalls seeing patients in a furniture-less room early on. Dr. Phil stresses using what's available and pivoting creatively (e.g., running to the hardware store for a black light last-minute).

Affordable Furnishings Work Just FineIKEA-style tables, secondhand furniture, and minimalist setups are completely acceptable. Keep it clean and functional; kids and parents care more about care than decor.

Lab Supplies Can Be MinimalStart with just rapid strep, flu, and urine tests. Sending labs to Quest or LabCorp is often more practical early on than drawing blood in-house — especially without an MA.

Don’t Let Labs Hold You BackGetting group purchasing discounts is helpful, but not required to launch. Most pediatric patients won’t need frequent labs, and many parents are used to outside lab billing.

Expensive Tools Can WaitBig-ticket items like vision screeners, lead testers, and hearing machines are nice but not needed immediately. Create a wish list tied to financial or patient milestones.

Paperwork Still MattersKeep printed forms handy (PHQ-9, postpartum screens, Ages & Stages, etc.). A small stock of printed materials can go a long way in well visits.

Tech & Admin BasicsA reliable laptop, printer, Wi-Fi router, and paper documents are sufficient to run a lean office. An EMR and e-prescribing setup are essential for functionality.

Be Flexible & CreativeYou’ll encounter unplanned needs (like Nair for a hair tourniquet or extra bandages) — just get them when they arise. Most items can be picked up locally.

Use Free & Community ResourcesHelpful tools include:

* The DPC Pediatricians Facebook Group (shared files with starter lists)

* Startup guides from dpcpediatrician.com

* The upcoming DPC Virtual Summit in September

Takeaway Message:

You don’t need a perfect, fully equipped practice to start seeing patients. Begin with clinical basics, build smart, spend conservatively, and expand your tools as your practice grows. The beauty of DPC is that you get to design your setup in a way that supports your vision and budget.