Big Think Interview With Jay Parkinson | Big Think

TL;DR

A doctor creates a new practice model that combines internet communication with house calls and streamlined payments, simplifying healthcare for both doctors and patients.

Transcript

when I finished residen lead Hopkins I really didn't know what I was planning on doing with my life um but I knew that there were a ton of my friends who were photographers like myself um who didn't really have any sort of connection to the healthcare system so they would always send me an email or an IM chat with you know some photo of some rash o... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤙 The doctor's practice model aims to simplify healthcare by combining internet communication with house calls and streamlined payments.
• 🤞 By charging for communication, the doctor hopes to reduce unnecessary office visits and encourage more focused and effective healthcare delivery.
• 🧑‍⚕️ The current healthcare system places more emphasis on profit from sickness, rather than promoting wellness and preventing health problems.
• 😮 The rise of the internet and access to information can empower patients to take more control of their health and make better decisions.
• 🪡 The electronic medical records industry needs disruption and modernization to better serve the needs of doctors and patients.
• 😨 Health systems that prioritize primary care over specialists have better overall outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• 🤕 The cost of healthcare is influenced by factors like an aging population and the focus on sickness rather than wellness.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the doctor come up with the idea for his practice?

The doctor realized that he could provide healthcare advice to his friends through online communication, and this sparked the idea to create a practice that combined internet communication with house calls.

Q: How does the payment system work for the doctor's practice?

Patients could make appointments through the doctor's website, and payment was facilitated through PayPal. The doctor charged less than typical office visits in New York and had low overhead costs since he worked from his apartment.

Q: How does the doctor handle communication with his patients?

Once a patient has seen the doctor in person, they gain access to various communication tools like email, video chat, and messaging. The doctor charges an hourly rate for communication to ensure they are compensated for their time.

Q: How does the doctor address lifestyle changes for his patients?

The doctor believes that doctors are not trained or incentivized to promote lifestyle changes. Instead, he suggests that a new profession needs to focus on encouraging and profiting from wellness, rather than sickness.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The doctor wanted to simplify healthcare for his friends and neighborhood, so he created a practice that mixed internet communication with house calls and PayPal payments. He charged less than most office visits in New York and worked from his apartment, making a comfortable living.

• Patients could create a profile, search for a doctor, and add them to their team. They could then make appointments and communicate through various channels like email, video chat, and instant messaging.

• By focusing on communication and payment for services on an hourly basis, the doctor aimed to reduce unnecessary office visits and encourage more effective healthcare delivery.