What is Micropractice?

Micropractice, or what may be called an ideal medical clinic or medical home, believes primary care is best delivered in a continuous and collaborative doctor-patient relationship, fostering comprehensive and personalized care. Meeting these competing agendas is challenging in the age of limited healthcare dollars and increasing clinical demands. However, micropractice is one way to bridge this gap. Unlike traditional medical offices, in a micropractice, staff, facilities, and equipment are minimized, allowing resources to be directed back to the patient and provider. Further, technology, such as an online scheduler and secure electronic messaging, removes third-person disruptions and improves both parties' efficiency, access, and communication. Think back to when a patient and doctor knew each other well. The major difference is the integration of technology and resource prioritization to increase sustainability and longevity.

A micropractice model creates space for the science and the art of medicine. If you ask anyone who has ever relied on the health care system, they will be the first to tell you that the “art” of medicine is the difference between being treated like a person versus a number. It is the difference between a correct prescription or diagnosis and one that contains an error, between being heard rather than dismissed, between a busy, rushed office and a medical home. If patients and providers are to be healthier, happier, and more successful, primary care needs to be delivered differently, and micropractise is one such way. Willow Family Medicine is proud to be at the forefront of this change.

Key Principles

Personal

There is no reception desk. Providers greet their patients.

Communication

Each provider attends to their phone messages and emails, limiting third-party confusion. Email is the main method of communication for administrative concerns. It is much quicker than the phone; however, medical issues are only addressed in an appointment. 

Access

A micropractice cares for a limited number of patients to ensure appointments are available when needed. Further, providers reserve same-day, semi-urgent appointments for those unpredictable concerns.

Continuity

Patients visit the same provider every appointment, fostering familiarity. Evidence shows this reduces error, improves health outcomes, and increases the provider’s enjoyment of their practice.

Online Scheduler

Quick, convenient, and easy to use, almost all appointments are booked online. For those unable to do so, appointments can be made via phone. However, very few choose this option.

Patient Portal 

Instead of telephone calls, patients receive a secure email via Medeo for administrative concerns.

Appointment Only

No drop-ins of patients or visitors. Semi-urgent appointments are available upon request.