Ideal Medical Practice

This principle is the cornerstone of the concept of “The Ideal Medical Practice,” an innovative, nationwide physician movement. This model incorporates office efficiency, low overhead, electronic medical records, same day access, and open lines of communication between patients and their physician. I believe everyone should be able to say this about their healthcare, and will do my best to make it happen for my patients.

The Ideal Medical Practices’ new model of health care uses the ideals of low overhead, lower volume, efficiency in office management, and accountability for outcomes of patient care. This innovative group of physicians is currently working on providing real numbers that show the cost savings and improvement in overall chronic care when practices uphold this model of care.

The key principles of an Ideal Medical Practice are:

• High quality, collaborative, patient-centered care
• Unfettered access and continuity
• Efficiency
• Vital and sustainable practice
  

It is designed to:

• Enhance doctor-patient relationships
• Increase face-to-face time between doctors and patients
• Reduce physician workloads
• Instill patients with a sense of responsibility for their health
• Cut wasted dollars from the healthcare system
  

What is a Micropractice

Many, but not all Ideal Medical Practices are also micropractices. A micropractice is “a very low overhead, high technology, solo practice capable of providing safe, effective, patient-centered, efficient, timely, care.” It is an attempt to optimize the smallest unit capable of delivering excellent care - the solo doctor.

Rather than running a large operation on the healthcare treadmill, keeping up with costs by being forced to see more and more patients for less and less time, suffering loss of quality, this model allows the doctor to regain the magic of being a doctor once again and take better care of his or her patients. Both doctors and patients win. For me, the choice is obvious. Keeping my practice small makes for a better experience all around.

For More Information

IMP Center
Saving Primary Care
Ideal Medical Home (for physicians/practices)
Ideal Medical Practices Blog
IMP Map