"Revolutionary Clinic Combats Doctor Burnout and Transforms Healthcare"
Birchwood Family Medicine in Wisconsin is operating on a direct primary care model, offering affordable healthcare and addressing the growing shortage of primary care physicians. Patients pay a monthly membership fee of $80, which includes unlimited clinic visits, 24/7 access to the doctor, and significantly discounted lab tests and imaging. The clinic provides more personalized care and longer appointment times, leading to increased patient satisfaction. However, the rise of small clinics like Birchwood adds stress to an already stretched healthcare system, which is facing retirements of Baby Boom generation physicians and a decline in medical graduates opting for primary care. Attempts to raise primary care reimbursement have been challenging due to rising healthcare costs.