The hottest Primary Care Substack posts right now

Primary care has become rushed, fragmented, and impersonal because doctors are forced to see too many patients in too little time, which leaves patients feeling rushed or dismissed.
A continuous, thoughtful primary care relationship matters for prevention, early detection, and whole‑person care, but many people pick providers by insurance convenience and avoid care after bad experiences.
A new model that shifts decision-making from insurers back to doctors lets clinicians spend more time with patients and practice more patient-centered, thoughtful medicine.

Big corporate healthcare and insurance pressures have turned primary care into rushed, impersonal visits where thorough physical exams and continuity are often missing.
Doctors are increasingly treated like functionaries following checklists and metrics, prioritizing measurable targets like blood pressure numbers and vaccines over listening to a patient’s full story.
Older solo practitioners provided hands-on exams and long-term, personalized care, and those bedside skills and relationships are disappearing as systems prioritize efficiency and scale.

Primary care is increasingly rushed and impersonal, so patients often don’t get thorough exams or enough time to be heard.
Administrative, billing, and quality-measure incentives push doctors toward quick visits, template notes, and guideline-driven prescriptions rather than individualized care.
Medical training and documentation pressures are eroding clinical judgment and critical thinking, leading to poorer-quality doctors, more specialist referrals, and higher costs.

Dr. Lesley Williams advocates for creating safe spaces in healthcare where everyone feels valued, regardless of size.
Learning about weight-neutral care and body affirmation concepts can revolutionize healthcare approaches, moving away from solely focusing on weight.
Shifting the healthcare focus from weight-centric to inclusive can lead to better health outcomes by ensuring people feel included and supported in healthcare settings.

Oak Street Health's success came from owning the full provider stack and utilizing a capitation framework.
Owning the provider stack allows for better control over patient outcomes and aligns incentives for quality care.
The model of owning the provider stack can be applied not just in primary care, but also in specialty services for specific chronic conditions.

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Doctors in medical school may not receive adequate nutrition education.
There is a need to deepen the understanding of nutrition within medical education.
Collaboration between physicians and nutrition specialists could enhance patient care.

Prioritize both your mental and physical health. Taking care of yourself is important and can be a luxury.
Regularly check in with your primary care doctor. Discuss your concerns, questions, and overall health.
Create a plan with your doctor for a healthier future. Address everyday habits, coping mechanisms, and set achievable goals.

Transitioning after a crisis can be challenging due to loss and uncertainty, impacting everyone differently.
It's crucial to address societal inequalities worsened during the pandemic while navigating ongoing health risks.
Mental health should be a central focus in healthcare, as trauma from crises like COVID-19 can have long-lasting physical and emotional effects.

The AHEAD Model introduced a new reimbursement model called global budgets focused on population health and health equity.
Past examples of global budgets, like Maryland's, showed mixed results in cost reduction and quality improvement.
The AHEAD Model faces challenges with recruitment and the potential for gaming the system, but aims to address healthcare costs through unique approaches.

Unbundling primary care can improve user experience but may lead to fragmentation and cost increase.
New healthcare companies are redesigning primary care to enhance user experience, similar to Apple's approach.
Fixing healthcare systems may involve transitioning users from specialized services to comprehensive care through partnerships.