A core component of our approach to healthcare is designed to address a common concern among primary care physicians: the pressure to see an overwhelming number of patients in a single day.
In traditional settings, providers are often forced to cycle through visits with patients, leading to rushed appointments, double or even triple-booked schedules, and potentially compromised care. This volume-driven approach is often necessitated by the fee-for-service model, where reimbursement is tied to the number of patients seen.
While seeing a higher volume of patients can be challenging in specialized care, where providers focus on a specific organ system or condition, primary care presents a different uphill battle. Physicians encounter a wide range of undifferentiated problems, as patients may present with a skin issue, an abdominal issue, a gynecological issue, and more. The unpredictable nature of these visits makes it difficult to provide comprehensive care within the constraints of a 15-minute appointment.
To directly address this issue, we minimize the number of patients providers have to see in a full day schedule. Annual wellness visits are typically one hour, and new patient visits are 40 minutes. By allowing providers to dedicate more time to each individual, they are able to provide more thorough patient care.
As Dr. Esther Kim, Associate Medical Director for apree health in Nevada, describes it, “In many ways, it’s a return to the principles of traditional family medicine, where in-depth understanding and relationship-building were paramount.”
But our model isn’t just about longer visits. When a provider joins apree health, they should expect:
Deeper Patient Engagement
This means being a little bit more involved with the patient care, including being willing to spend time communicating with patients outside of scheduled appointments, such as calling with lab results or conducting follow-up phone visits.
Administrative Support
Our model structures administrative time differently than traditional practices. Instead of large blocks of time dedicated to paperwork, administrative tasks are integrated throughout the day, helping to prevent the buildup of inbox messages and charting.
An Emphasis on Quality
Quality of care is always placed above quantity, allowing providers to focus on building strong patient relationships and delivering comprehensive, personalized care.
Benefits Across the Board
Provider burnout remains a significant issue in the healthcare industry. Grinding through dozens of patients daily takes a major toll, especially when it leads to subpar outcomes for patients.
At apree, we focus heavily on reducing the pressure on providers. Fewer patients mean less stress and better care. Integrated administrative time means smaller backlogs of paperwork and the ability to leave work at work.
And beyond improving the provider experience, our model gives patients significant improvements in care.
Patients appreciate the extra time and attention they receive from their providers, leading to greater satisfaction and trust. And the emphasis on provider-patient communication, including phone calls and portal messaging, enhances the patient experience and fosters a stronger sense of connection with their care team.
Patients also benefit from a more holistic approach to their healthcare, with providers addressing multiple issues in a single visit and taking the time to explain complex medical information.
“Because we’re not a fee-for-service model, we encourage our providers to address what they can during the extended visit time instead of spreading it out over multiple visits,” says Dr. Kim. “That’s better for patients, since they don’t have to keep interrupting their day going back and forth to the doctor.”
apree health is Hiring!
To learn more about working with us and to view our open positions, visit our Careers Page.
