One of the hardest parts of taking the leap into the world of pediatric DPC was feeling alone – both psychologically and physically.
Many of my pediatric colleagues looked at me with both fascination and bewilderment when I shared my startup plans. One of them even balked, “Why would anyone pay for that when they have insurance?!” Even though I had researched the idea extensively and carefully laid out my plans, most of them simply didn’t “get” it.
The first year after opening my practice, my 1500-square-foot office felt pretty lonely, too. I played the role of receptionist, scheduler, medical assistant, and physician. It was wonderful for families to enjoy a clean, empty waiting room and prompt service, and I was much happier. Yet, I had nobody to discuss hard cases with or commiserate with about the day-to-day details and the business side of DPC.
That’s where the DPC Facebook groups helped to fill a void – groups like DPC Docs and Pediatricians Who Do DPC. They were the tiny corner of the internet where those of use brave (or crazy?) enough to venture into uncharted territory felt safe asking questions, sharing both good and bad experiences, and celebrating successes.
Then, in my second year of DPC practice I had the opportunity to attend the first-ever Pediatric DPC Mastermind in Orlando, Florida. There were only about fifty of us or so, but the excitement of finally meeting people we had only interacted with virtually was palpable. We shared meals together, listened to conference talks together, and were so eager to share and learn from each other. Over the course of two and a half days, I felt like I had a room full of new friends!
Creating a community in the tiny (but growing) world of pediatric DPC can be challenging, but there are resources you can turn to for camaraderie and support.
Here are a few ideas to help:
- Find another DPC physician in your city or a nearby city (the DPC Pediatrician Mapper and DPC Frontier Mapper can be great places to start). Schedule a time to see their clinic, invite them to yours, or go out to lunch or coffee together. Even if they’re not a pediatrician, you can still benefit from learning about their practice and vice versa. You can also help refer patients to each other when appropriate.
- Join the handful of Facebook groups dedicated to supporting DPC physicians, including DPC Docs, DPC Women, and Pediatricians Who Do DPC. Some are hidden, so you may need to ask someone who is already in the group to invite you. Also, don’t forget to answer any questions that are required to join. Then, search old posts for answers to questions you have or, if you can’t find them, post and ask! By and large, you’ll discover a very supportive community ready to share their experiences and expertise.
- Listen to DPC-specific podcasts, such as My DPC Story and DPC Pediatricians. Even if you can’t talk to the people whose stories you’re listening to, there’s something powerful about hearing from people who share your passion and may have similar experiences to you (or different ones that you can learn from). It can help you feel connected to others in the DPC community even if you’ve never met them.
- Attend DPC conferences, such as the 2025 Pediatric DPC Mastermind being held February 28 – March 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. You’ll get to meet about 100 other pediatricians who are anywhere from the contemplative phase of DPC to a few who have been in business many years. There’s nothing like meeting each other and sharing in conversations face-to-face. Click here to find out more and register.
Pediatric DPC is still in its infancy, but I’m optimistic that it’s here to stay and that our community will only continue to grow and thrive.
Come join us!
