Summary: This podcast episode features a conversation between DPC pediatrician Dr. Marina and entrepreneur/coach Sarah from Soul Seat Academy, focused on how physicians and small business owners can effectively hire, lead, and, when necessary, fire team members in a way that centers culture and humanity over rigid metrics. The discussion emphasizes hiring for cultural alignment and a “servant’s heart” first, then training for skills using clear job descriptions, fun and specific role titles, and detailed standard operating procedures so employees feel safe, supported, and empowered in their roles. They highlight the importance of regular check‑in meetings that normalize two-way feedback, encourage employees to propose solutions, and actively address “workplace trauma detox” from past toxic environments so trust can grow over time. Finally, Sarah shares her structured “come to deity” conversation framework for handling serious performance issues, outlining clear paths of resolution, resignation, or termination while still treating people with dignity and viewing mistakes as “tuition” for learning rather than automatic grounds for dismissal.

Key Highlights

* Legislative Changes: The episode opens with discussion about the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in Congress, which brought significant Medicaid cuts and reduced subsidies for marketplace health insurance plans. While some provisions favored DPC practitioners, many families face potential insurance premium hikes next year.​

* Insurance Premiums and Family Impact: Phil and Marina note that many families relying on subsidized health insurance will need to decide whether to continue paying increased premiums or go uninsured. Those with employer-based insurance are less affected, but marketplace plan holders may need to reevaluate their budgets, possibly impacting their DPC memberships.​

* DPC Practice Opportunities: Phil views the situation as a double-edged sword. While a few current patients may leave DPC due to financial strain, there is a larger pool of new families, especially those dropping costly insurance, who may seek out DPC for its affordability and benefits. The advice is to focus on attracting these new families rather than only trying to retain those considering leaving.​

* Communication Strategy: The episode emphasizes reaching potential new patients through social media, newsletters, and website updates, highlighting the fixed-fee, high-value nature of DPC. Phil and Marina stress that energy should not be spent trying to convert skeptics of DPC, but rather on making services known to those seeking alternatives due to insurance changes.​

* Employee Health Plans and DPC Fit: The trend toward high-deductible employer health plans is identified as another avenue for DPC growth. Such plans often pair with Health Savings Accounts, which complement the DPC model for families looking to manage healthcare spending.​

* Retention, Flexibility, and Patient Care Quality: While discounts or accommodations for loyal families facing hardship are optional, Phil and Marina point out that not all losses can or should be prevented. They highlight the inherent value of DPC, such as time spent with families, ability to address 90-95% of patients’ needs, and access to creative care solutions like e-consults to minimize specialist costs.​

Actionable Advice

* Focus on community outreach to families affected by insurance premium hikes.

* Use clear, empathetic messaging to position DPC as a solution for uninsured or high-deductible families.

* Accept unavoidable churn but explore flexible pricing for loyal patients when appropriate.

* Utilize online platforms (social media, website, newsletters) to share DPC’s unique value.

* Prepare for an influx of new patients as insurance rates rise, positioning DPC as an accessible, high-quality alternative for pediatric care.​

The episode closes with encouragement for DPC pediatricians to see the coming changes as opportunities for service and growth rather than just challenges, reaffirming their mission to provide accessible care amid a shifting healthcare landscape.

This podcast episode provides actionable, step-by-step advice for pediatricians who are considering launching their own direct primary care (DPC) practices, highlighting critical preparation strategies, pitfalls to avoid, and essential resources for a smooth transition.​

Key Highlights

* Defining Your Vision and Brand

* Before taking practical steps, aspiring DPC practitioners should define the vision for their clinic, including which populations or services to focus on, care models, and how their personal strengths differentiate their practice.​

* Building a suitable brand and refining this vision will influence choices regarding location, size, and offerings, setting the foundation for future growth.​

* Crucial First Steps

* The most important initial actions include learning about DPC via summits, podcasts, and online groups, understanding personal motivations, and saving up for startup costs if needed.​

* Developing a resilient mindset for success is key, particularly as launching a practice involves overcoming doubts and embracing flexibility as situations inevitably evolve.​

* Navigating Contracts and Legal Issues

* Phil and Marina strongly advise obtaining and reviewing employment contracts to anticipate legal hurdles such as non-compete clauses, restrictions on patient communication, and potential backlash when departing existing jobs.​

* Consulting an attorney, or using tools like ChatGPT for contract review, can help identify risks, plan exit timelines, and ensure compliance with state-specific regulations.​

* Administrative Set-up

* Establishing a legal entity such as an LLC or PLLC (depending on state) is necessary to receive payments, open business accounts, and set up other key infrastructure.​

* Choosing a business name should be approached with care to avoid complications later; alternatives like “doing business as” names can help adapt as the practice evolves.​

* Phil and Marina caution against unnecessary spending on third-party business registration services, highlighting that state and federal registrations are generally straightforward and inexpensive when done directly.​

* Planning and Resource Management

* Practitioners should create a clear timeline and a checklist for tasks leading up to the launch, using tools like startup guides or project boards to stay organized.​

* Flexibility is important, as some steps may take longer than expected, and pivoting plans is often necessary in entrepreneurial ventures.​

* Support and Community

* Leveraging online groups, summit content, and available startup guides greatly facilitates the transition, offering motivation, expertise, and camaraderie for new DPC doctors.​

Final Advice

The episode closes with Phil and Marina encouraging listeners to seek out the DPC Pediatrician startup guide, join supportive communities, and give themselves grace for unexpected delays, assuring them that the journey, while challenging, is filled with opportunities and supportive colleagues.

This podcast episode centers on the challenges direct primary care (DPC) pediatricians face around delegation and burnout as their practices scale, and provides practical advice and personal stories addressing these issues.​

Key Highlights

* Challenges of Scaling:

* Pediatricians express frustration with shifting from high-volume patient care to handling extensive administrative duties, such as filing, forms, QuickBooks, and more, after opening their own DPC practices.​

* Many practitioners start solo to maintain a lean operation and only begin hiring help, such as part-time staff or virtual assistants, once the workload becomes unsustainable.​

* The Art of Delegation:

* Delegation is difficult for many physicians due to perfectionist tendencies developed during medical training, making it hard to trust others with important tasks.​

* Phil and Marina share that learning to delegate is a skill requiring practice and an acceptance that others may not do things perfectly, but must do them “well enough”.​

* Practical Solutions for Burnout Prevention:

* The digital age offers tools such as Loom for asynchronous training and record-keeping, which make delegation and onboarding easier, even for virtual assistants located overseas.​

* Examples are shared, including offloading birthday card duties and documentation tasks to trusted helpers, freeing up time for the clinicians.​

* Hiring help does introduce short-term challenges and mistakes during training, but this period is necessary for long-term relief and productivity.​

* Strategic Growth and Self-Care:

* Physicians are encouraged to critically evaluate which tasks they genuinely enjoy and which should be delegated to others, including administrative and personal scheduling duties.​

* The importance of anticipating future needs, enlisting help before feeling overwhelmed, and accepting that the first hire might not always be the perfect fit are emphasized.​

* Extreme ownership in the business is discussed, urging practice owners to take responsibility for ensuring clear communication and good systems rather than blaming staff for mistakes.​

Episode Summary

In this Episode Phil and Marina urge listeners to delegate sooner rather than later, to prioritize personal and professional well-being, and to embrace intentional growth and self-care practices for their clinics and themselves.

This podcast episode features Dr. Phil Boucher and Dr. Marina Capella discussing the practicalities of setting and maintaining boundaries in direct primary care (DPC) pediatric practices. The conversation primarily unfolds through real-world case studies, illustrating how boundaries are defined, enforced, and how they can flex based on context and physician comfort levels.

Main Themes

* The concept of boundaries in DPC is not one-size-fits-all; physicians are encouraged to establish and respect their own boundaries tailored to their life and practice.

* Boundaries are positioned as personal guidelines for how providers respond to requests, not about changing patient behavior directly.

* Case studies deal with after-hours communication, appointment punctuality, handling alternative or online medical tests, and managing “over-communicative” or anxious parents.

Key Highlights

* After-Hours Communication: Phil and Marina discuss what they would do when receiving a late-evening text about a sick child. Each describes their thresholds for what is within their boundaries, such as handling situations over text or a brief call versus physically coming into the office. They stress giving actionable guidance to parents while also maintaining personal downtime and not feeling guilty for doing so.

* Flexible Yet Firm Boundaries: Instances where providing help after hours or in unorthodox setups (like meeting a parent in a parking lot) were discussed as examples of flexible, situationally appropriate boundaries—balanced by the clear statement that such actions are not always expected or required.

* Setting Expectations with Parents: Phil and Marina explore scenarios where parents miss or delay scheduled appointments. They emphasize the importance of being clear about availability and acceptable loss of appointment times, and the hazards of setting resentful boundaries due to over-accommodation, especially noting challenges faced by female physicians.

* Handling Non-Traditional Test Results: The increasing frequency of parents bringing in lab tests ordered online is discussed. Both hosts advocate for transparency about expertise, investigating legitimate tests, and compassionately guiding parents without judgment while warning that not all “alternative” tests are medically credible.

* Over-communication from Parents: Strategies are shared for managing parents who check in excessively, such as recommending logs, spacing communication, and scheduling feedback rather than replying instantly to every message. This helps “train” expectations and supports the physician-parent relationship without burnout.

Episode Summary

* Consistent Responses: Frequent, immediate responses train parents to expect 24/7 access, while delayed or scheduled responses help set realistic expectations and maintain provider wellness.

* Gender Dynamics: The doctors note that boundary issues can be compounded by gendered expectations, with women more frequently pressured to overextend; having a protocol and iteratively communicating limits is vital.

* Compassionate Framing: Even when saying no or limiting services, responses should be professional, kind, and indicate the physician’s desire to help within reasonable means.

This episode of the DPC Pediatricians Podcast, hosted by Dr. Phil Boucher and Dr. Marina Capella, explores the unique benefits of Pediatric Direct Primary Care (DPC) from the patient's perspective and emphasizes why families embrace the DPC model.

Key Highlights

Text-Based Communication

* Texting the doctor is the most popular feature among millennial and Gen Z parents who dislike phone calls; most pediatric DPC practices offer easy text-based communication.

* Doctors can handle 60-75% of questions (such as rashes, feeding, or daycare return queries) virtually, which saves families from unnecessary office visits.

* Parents appreciate quick reassurance via text, enabling convenience and lowering anxiety — “having a pediatrician in your diaper bag”.

Personalized Relationships and Availability

* DPC pediatricians typically have smaller patient panels and spend more time getting to know each child and family, supporting tailored recommendations and building trust.

* Scheduling systems and automation allow doctors to check in on specific concerns proactively (e.g., scheduled text updates after a sick visit).

* Patients feel valued, are not just “a number,” and rarely experience long waiting times — they have a direct relationship with fewer, familiar providers.

Flexible Access and Team Approach

* In Phil's practice, families can schedule appointments online at any time.

* For coverage, practices introduce substitute pediatricians well in advance to ensure continuity and comfort when the main doctor is unavailable.

* Team members are chosen for their expertise (e.g., asthma or anxiety), and families actively request to see specific providers based on their needs.

Extended Visit Times and Child-Centric Care

* Physicals and sick visits in DPC practices are much longer (up to an hour), allowing thorough discussion and a relaxed environment for both parents and children.

* Doctors discuss family context (work changes, deployments), and adapt care accordingly.

* Visits are child-friendly — playtime and gradual introductions reduce anxiety for toddlers, contrasting with rushed, institutional settings.

Summit Announcement

* Phil and Marina invite listeners to register for the upcoming Pediatric Direct Care Virtual Summit (September 17-19), designed for practitioners at all stages to learn about DPC operations, finances, and marketing. Recordings are available for registrants.

In summary: The DPC model delivers high convenience, direct access, trusted relationships, flexible scheduling, and an anxiety-reducing experience for families and children — key reasons why patients are so satisfied with Pediatric Direct Primary Care.

This podcast episode from DPC Pediatricians, featuring Dr. Phil Boucher and Dr. Marina Capella, focuses on the various fears physicians face when starting or growing a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice, especially in pediatrics.

Key Highlights

Financial Fears

* The most cited fear is financial risk—concerns about income loss, managing startup costs, and whether the practice will be financially viable.

* Specific worries include affording personal expenses, losing benefits like health insurance, managing student loan payments, and depleting savings.

* Strategies to manage financial fears include starting with a small budget, working part-time at another job (PRN), building a financial buffer, or obtaining a startup loan—something most other small businesses do regularly.

Business Management Fears

* Many physicians fear managing a business because they typically lack formal business education in medical training and often feel unprepared for tasks like hiring staff, handling payroll, or managing finances.

* Phil and Marina emphasize that “all business skills are learnable,” pointing to the abundance of online resources, courses, and AI tools to support new practice owners.

* Hiring professionals like accountants or clinic managers over time can offload responsibilities, but initial control and learning are essential.

Fear of Being Alone or Losing Community

* Starting a practice solo can feel isolating, especially transitioning from collaborative environments.

* The episode highlights the importance of building community: connecting with local DPC physicians (even outside of pediatrics), joining business networking groups, and attending in-person or virtual DPC events like Masterminds and summits.

Discomfort with Asking for Money

* Discussing payment directly with patients feels unnatural for many physicians due to lack of previous experience and cultural norms within the profession.

* Overcoming this discomfort comes with practice and understanding the value offered to patients; not every family will find the model a fit, and that is normal.

Fear of Not Being an Expert

* Many feel unqualified to market themselves as more than generalists, especially when pursuing fields like integrative or behavioral medicine without extensive extra certifications.

* Both hosts encourage embracing continuous learning and recognizing that being an expert is relative—the physician will usually know more than the patient, and expertise grows incrementally through practice and further education.

DPC Pediatrician Resources Mentioned

* The hosts mention resources like online courses on DPC finances, free startup guides, and opportunities for community engagement through summits and masterminds for further support.

Episode Summary

This episode provides practical insights and reassurance for pediatricians and other physicians considering or building a direct primary care model, reinforcing that fears are manageable and success is achievable with patience, support, and persistent learning.

Podcast Summary:In this episode of DPC Pediatricians, Dr. Phil Boucher and Dr. Marina Capella dive into a fundamental question for anyone starting a Direct Primary Care (DPC) pediatric practice: What equipment do you really need at the beginning?

Key Highlights:

Start Lean and Grow as You GoNew DPC pediatricians often over-purchase equipment trying to mirror traditional practices. The hosts emphasize starting with only what’s essential — many fancy tools can wait or be added later.

Clinical Essentials FirstMust-have items include: stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, infant + adult scales, and basic vitals tools. You don’t need expensive versions to provide great care.

You Don’t Need a Fully Stocked Exam RoomDr. Marina recalls seeing patients in a furniture-less room early on. Dr. Phil stresses using what's available and pivoting creatively (e.g., running to the hardware store for a black light last-minute).

Affordable Furnishings Work Just FineIKEA-style tables, secondhand furniture, and minimalist setups are completely acceptable. Keep it clean and functional; kids and parents care more about care than decor.

Lab Supplies Can Be MinimalStart with just rapid strep, flu, and urine tests. Sending labs to Quest or LabCorp is often more practical early on than drawing blood in-house — especially without an MA.

Don’t Let Labs Hold You BackGetting group purchasing discounts is helpful, but not required to launch. Most pediatric patients won’t need frequent labs, and many parents are used to outside lab billing.

Expensive Tools Can WaitBig-ticket items like vision screeners, lead testers, and hearing machines are nice but not needed immediately. Create a wish list tied to financial or patient milestones.

Paperwork Still MattersKeep printed forms handy (PHQ-9, postpartum screens, Ages & Stages, etc.). A small stock of printed materials can go a long way in well visits.

Tech & Admin BasicsA reliable laptop, printer, Wi-Fi router, and paper documents are sufficient to run a lean office. An EMR and e-prescribing setup are essential for functionality.

Be Flexible & CreativeYou’ll encounter unplanned needs (like Nair for a hair tourniquet or extra bandages) — just get them when they arise. Most items can be picked up locally.

Use Free & Community ResourcesHelpful tools include:

* The DPC Pediatricians Facebook Group (shared files with starter lists)

* Startup guides from dpcpediatrician.com

* The upcoming DPC Virtual Summit in September

Takeaway Message:

You don’t need a perfect, fully equipped practice to start seeing patients. Begin with clinical basics, build smart, spend conservatively, and expand your tools as your practice grows. The beauty of DPC is that you get to design your setup in a way that supports your vision and budget.