The Appointment Pre-Check

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Longer appointment times with your doctor are almost viewed as a myth. Given the current state of healthcare, most doctors only spend an average of 20 minutes – or in many cases even less – with each patient before moving on to the next patient. Having such an abbreviated time with your doctor can be frustrating, especially if you come in with concerns and leave with more questions than answers.

This is not the case with Direct Care. With smaller patient panels, this removes the shuffling from patient to patient, providing the doctors with the opportunity to spend more time with a patient – listening, answering questions, and coming up with a diagnosis. This not only makes for more pleasant visits, but also it creates a great foundation towards your doctor being a partner in your health.

Nevertheless, with this added time in the Direct Care model, you have to know how to make the most of the time with your doctor and be sure to have all your questions answered. What type of questions should you ask? While it’s all depends on your specific concerns, Time Magazine shared some of top questions you should ask your doctor.

  1. What are the different treatment options?
    • Decisions should be made jointly with your doctor, so be sure you’re aware of all options.
  2. Do we have to do this now, or can we revisit later?
    • Some tests can wait, and added time can also give your doctor more time to diagnose your patterns.
  3. What outcome should I expect?
    • It’s important to know if there will be any changes that may affect your lifestyle.
  4. What are the side effects?
    • Whether you’re undergoing a procedure or taking new medication, it’s important to know about side effects beforehand to determine if you want to alter your treatment
  5. How will I hear about my results?
    • Be sure to get an adequate timeline from your doctor on when to expect your results.

It’s important to take advantage of the longer appointment times with your doctor afforded by Direct Care. Questions for your doctor can help give you more clarity on your health status and provide the answers you need to guide your next steps.

Primary Care Isn’t Secondary

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Primary care matters, plain and simple. Though in recent years it seems to be undervalued, primary care remains in fact a central part of everyone’s long-term health. How big of a role? According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), areas with higher concentrations of primary care physicians are linked to lower death rates for cancer, heart disease, and stroke, while also leading to lower level of hospital admissions.

Primary care also helps lower the costs healthcare presents. In addition to fewer hospitalizations, there’s less duplication of treatment as well as better use of technology, all cumulating into 33% lower healthcare related costs.

Primary care reinforces the doctor-patient relationship allowing for a “continuity of care.”  You’re able to establish a relationship and build upon it year after year while receiving tangible benefits like acute, chronic, and preventive care, along with a wide range of other services. R-Health’s Direct Care Model allows for this multi-faceted, consistent approach.

  • Family Care – We’re able to see and treat family members of all ages. Having this continuity and trust allows the full scope of one’s health to put into context, especially how it may relate to the rest of the family. Having a strong relationship within the family helps the doctors with insight knowledge, given them understanding on health patterns that you may be facing, and can even save you from unnecessary tests.
  • Unlimited Access – Having a doctor to take care of the family is great, unless they’re unavailable. That’s not a problem with R-Health’s Direct Care model due to the 24/7 unlimited access available for patients to their doctors. Phone calls, a secure mobile app, and a member portal are just a few of the ways you’re able to stay in contact with your doctor no matter where you’re at.
  • Convenience – Not only are there no co-pays, but with the use of our data and technology systems, coupled with the care coordination, we remove the barriers to the doctors and our doctors help members navigate a complex health care system seamlessly.

Great primary care allows you to see the bigger picture. A doctor who can take care of all your needs, both long-term and short-term. And a model of healthcare that saves costs, but not at the expense of the doctor-patient relationship or the diverse health network that’s available.

Direct Primary Care Week is June 18-22, 2018

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From June 18-22, 2018, New Jersey will celebrate the first-annual Direct Primary Care (DPC) Week. The goal of DPC Week is to raise awareness of the State’s progressive program to break down barriers between a patient and his/her physician.

Multiple events and activities will be held to bring attention to New Jersey’s DPC program which is available to workers and their family members who are part of the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) or School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP). Membership to a Direct Primary Care doctor’s office is included at no additional cost and with no change to existing health benefits. Features include no co-pays, more time with the doctor, little to no wait, 24/7 access to a personal doctor, and much more.

A tele town hall will be held on Thursday, June 21 at 7 pm to learn more about the program. You can sign up here.

You can also find more information about R-Health in NJ here.

Time to Get to Work

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It’s very easy to stay stationery, especially at the work place. While we all have our routines, it’s important to incorporate new activities to reinforce health habits. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month where the goal is to spread awareness about the benefits of getting and staying active, while creating opportunities for everyone to partake in more activities.

These physical activities aren’t limited to the outdoors. Long periods of inactivity (for example in office job settings) can lead to increased risks of diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer, per Live Better. Therefore, it’s important to find time to be active, even in the workplace, and there’s more than a few ways to get started.

  • Walk or ride part of your way to work
    • If possible, you can take the train and walk to work, or park further away from work and walk the rest of the way.
  • Have standing or walking meetings
    • Standing meetings can not only keep you active, but helps in increasing efficiency.
  • Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
    • More comfortable attire aids in your likelihood to be more active at work, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
  • Pack exercise clothes
    • If you’re unable to make it out the house due to a busy schedule, bring a change of clothes to work. Before heading home, change into your exercise clothes and make a quick stop at a park or gym and get some minutes of exercise going.
  • Track your steps
    • Having smart devices like a Fitbit or other smart watches can give you that extra boost of incentive to take more steps and reach the recommended 10,000 count per day.
  • Walk instead of calling/emailing
    • Take every opportunity to leave your desk. When communicating with a colleague across the room, take the time to get away from your desk and walk over to have your interaction.
  • Move during Lunch Break
    • Small segments of exercise over the course of a day can be very beneficial than a single session of activity. Simply 10-15 minutes can be very beneficial physically and mentally.
  • Stretch
    • Sitting all day can develop into pain in the body, specifically in the neck and back. Taking the time to stretch at your workspace every 30 minutes can help you feel more energized.

As you see there many more ways to exercise during work than are excuses not to. It’s important to find the time throughout the day stay active to stay healthy and lower the risks of developing other diseases. For more tips on how to stay active and healthy, visit your doctor and develop the best health plan for you.