If you are diagnosed with a chronic health condition such as diabetes, you generally have a lot of questions for your doctor such as treatment options, lifestyle changes, other health complications, and where to go to learn more. More and more, many people have difficulty getting enough information from their doctor. Because of short visits with no access to a doctor outside of office appointments, little changes can fall through the cracks until they finally snowball into a big health issue. Direct primary care providers can often tackle chronic health conditions more thoroughly and with better long-term results, simply because they have the time available to truly listen to their patient and investigate all symptoms.
In “5 Smart Money Moves for 2019” from Consumer Reports, it states that direct primary care “can be cost-effective and convenient for people with chronic health problems that need close monitoring, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.” Dr. Yusuf Mathai limits his patient roster to no more than 600 patients, which allows him to be available outside of office visit hours via phone, text or email. These extra services contribute to the added value of being a member of Oregon Health DPC. In particular, “for people who make frequent appointments with their primary care doctor, joining a DPC could cost less than using the coverage provided by a traditional insurance plan.”
Diabetes management requires awareness and is measured by how well you can control your blood sugar. Therefore, it is important to know what makes your blood sugar level rise and fall and you need to know how to control these day-to-day factors. Having direct access to your medical team at Oregon Health DPC, you can ask any questions that might come up and get a timely response. From diet education to exercise recommendations to medication monitoring, your personal health plan will not only address your diabetes but also maintain the rest of your health. Services like these are impossible with traditional primary care practices that have thousands of patients per provider.
When it comes to successfully treating a chronic condition such as diabetes, nothing beats the personalized attention of a direct primary care physician. Dr. Mathai truly enjoys getting to know his patients, and his goal is to restore a positive and trustworthy relationship between doctors and patients. In this article, there’s a story of a patient whose diabetes was missed by a traditional, overwhelmed physician who went for a second opinion with a DPC physician where he was properly diagnosed. It’s pivotal moments like these where DPC doctors can get back to the heart of doctoring.
When it comes to the benefits of direct primary care at Oregon Health DPC, the biggest benefit is the family atmosphere that all our patients experience! For a low monthly fee, DPC patients get unlimited office visits with some minor labs and procedures included, discounted lab and testing procedures for more involved diagnostics, coordination with specialists, and discounted prescriptions.
For more information on how direct primary care can help you better control your diabetes, contact our office at 503-506-8500.