Ed Yeates Reporting
Two Salt Lake medical practitioners are breaking away from tradition, providing their services to patients on a retainer, much like an attorney might offer.
Lynn Dougan saw his doctor, but he didn't have to wait two weeks for an appointment. In fact, he pretty much communicates with Dr. Carol Osborn anytime he chooses. That's because he retains her for a monthly fee of about a hundred and fifty dollars.
Not only is the retainer system out of the box, so is the office itself. It doesn't look or smell like a medical clinic, with hardwood floors, artwork on the walls and skylights. You wouldn't think it's a doctor's office, but it is. Patients have 24-7 access to Dr. Osborn or Phil Haggerty on their cell phones or by e-mail. They can come to the clinic day or night. The docs will even go to them, if needed.
Carol Osborn, M.D., Evolutionary Healthcare: "I found that out after practicing production medicine for 15 years, and at the end I didn't feel I had a soul left. I didn't have the empathy I thought I needed for my patients."
Also, instead of E.R., when you need your doctor after hours...
Dr. Phil Haggerty, Evolutionary Heathcare: "That same visit costs a hundred dollars here at our clinic and two thousand dollars at the E.R."
Even though there's a pricetag attached, the duo claims this is the way medicine once was.
Carol Osborn, M.D.: "Somewhat like the Marcus Welby model where people and doctors knew each other by their first names, knew something about their lives."
And for other reasons too!
Byron Russell, Patient: "It is really important to be a little more progressive about your health, and proactive in a sense."
Time to listen. Time for empathy. Time, as Osborn and Haggerty claim, to practice idealistic medicine. The monthly retainer is an additional service, not covered by insurance. Patients still have to pay for office calls and medical treatments, but say it's worth having medicine practiced this way.
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