On an average day, Shawn Moyer, MD, sees about 11 patients for at least 30 minutes.
He heads home on time just about every day and hardly ever gets after-hours call. He’s had less than 20 in the past two years.
How does he do it?
Dr. Moyer operates an ideal micropractice and has reduced the practice of medicine to its barest, most essential elements. His practice, Pinchot Family Medicine, is one of about 100 such practices in the nation and four in Pennsylvania.
“I feel that medicine really is overly burdened with unnecessary overhead. I wanted to have a practice that was a lot like my country doctor’s when I was growing up,” Dr. Moyer says.
While his practice may be like his country doctor’s in size and atmosphere, there’s one big difference: technology.
An electronic medical record (EMR) system allows Dr. Moyer to do all of his clinical work, billing, and communication.
“When I’m done seeing the patient, not only is my chart done, but I’ve also billed the patient’s insurance company,” Dr. Moyer says.
That efficiency reduces administrative costs, and the practice’s other expenses are cut to the bone. He has an inexpensive internet phone and fax and employs one medical assistant, Ashley Miller.
“My total monthly expenses, other than my salary, are less than we paid in phone expenses at my previous practice,” Dr. Moyer says.
Low costs afford him the luxury of seeing fewer patients in a day and spending more time with those patients.
“Patients will often spend 15 minutes telling you everything else but why they’re really there. I’ve found that it’s really helpful to have that extra time,” Dr. Moyer says.
Patients also seem to enjoy this model of care. They don’t feel rushed, they can get same-day visits, and they know who’s going to pick up the phone when they call.
Before starting Pinchot Family Medicine two years ago, Dr. Moyer had seen all ends of the primary care spectrum—working in a private practice and at a rural health center.
“I’ve seen both sides of primary care as it’s practiced in the US, and I really think this is the best of both worlds. We’re able to optimize our time and our energies,” he says.