DPC Organizations and Professional Resources¶

Overview¶

The Direct Primary Care community has grown significantly, with organizations providing advocacy, education, networking, and resources. Connecting with these organizations accelerates learning, provides community support, and keeps you informed on legislative and industry developments.

National Organizations¶

Direct Primary Care Alliance (DPCA)¶

Website: dpcare.org

What They Offer: - Advocacy for DPC-friendly legislation - Educational resources and webinars - Practice resources and templates - DPC Summit (annual conference) - Member directory - Networking opportunities

Membership: - Various levels available - Benefits include resources, discounts, advocacy support

Recommended For: All DPC physicians; the primary national organization for DPC.

Direct Primary Care Coalition¶

Website: dpcare.org/dpc-coalition

What They Offer: - Policy advocacy at federal level - Legislative tracking - Coalition of DPC-aligned organizations

Focus: Federal policy and advocacy.

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)¶

Website: aafp.org

DPC Resources: - DPC-specific practice management resources - Position statements on DPC - CME and education - Practice support

Note: While not DPC-specific, AAFP provides significant resources applicable to DPC family physicians.

State and Regional Resources¶

State Medical Associations¶

Most state medical associations have resources for: - State-specific practice regulations - Medical licensing - Legislative updates - Practice management - Legal referrals

Find yours: Search "[Your State] Medical Association"

State DPC Organizations¶

Some states have dedicated DPC groups: - State-specific networking - Local legislative advocacy - Regional events

Find local groups: - Ask in national DPC communities - Check DPCA for state contacts - Search "[Your State] Direct Primary Care"

Online Communities¶

DPC Frontier¶

Website: dpcfrontier.com

What They Offer: - Practice mapper (find other DPC practices) - News and articles - Community forums - Podcasts - Job board

Recommended For: Finding local DPC practices, staying current on DPC news.

Facebook Groups¶

DPC Docs (Private Group) - Thousands of DPC physicians - Active discussions - Practice advice - Peer support - Vendor recommendations

How to Join: Search "DPC Docs" on Facebook; request to join (must be physician).

DPC Nuts and Bolts - Practical operational discussions - Day-to-day practice questions

Other Online Communities¶

• Reddit: r/medicine discussions (occasional DPC topics)
• Twitter/X: Follow #DPC, #DirectPrimaryCare, DPC physicians
• LinkedIn: DPC networking groups

Conferences and Events¶

DPC Summit¶

Organizer: Direct Primary Care Alliance Frequency: Annual (typically summer) Focus: Comprehensive DPC education, networking, vendors

Value: - Multi-day immersive learning - Networking with hundreds of DPC physicians - Vendor expo - Inspiration and community

Recommended For: All DPC physicians, especially those starting out.

AAFP Family Medicine Experience (FMX)¶

Organizer: AAFP Frequency: Annual Focus: Family medicine (includes DPC sessions)

Value: - CME - Practice management - Some DPC-specific content - Broad family medicine community

State/Regional DPC Events¶

Various state organizations host: - Regional meetups - State DPC conferences - Educational events

Find events: Check DPCA, state medical associations, DPC Facebook groups.

Educational Resources¶

Podcasts¶

DPC Docs Podcast - Interviews with DPC physicians - Practice stories and advice - Industry updates

My DPC Story Podcast - Physician stories - Varied perspectives - Practical insights

DPC News - Weekly news updates - Industry developments

Books¶

"The Direct Primary Care Doctor: The Definitive Guide" - Comprehensive startup guide - Business and clinical considerations

"The DPC Report" - Industry analysis - Practice models

General Healthcare Business: - Various practice management books apply to DPC

Online Courses and Training¶

DPC Alliance Resources - Webinars and recordings - Member resources - Startup guides

Practice Management Courses: - Various organizations offer courses applicable to DPC - Check AAFP, state associations

Mentorship and Networking¶

Finding a Mentor¶

Options: - DPC Alliance mentor matching - Reach out to local DPC physicians - Connect through Facebook groups - Conference networking

Questions for Potential Mentors: - How long have you been practicing DPC? - What model do you use (pricing, structure)? - What were your biggest challenges? - Would you be open to occasional questions?

Visiting Established Practices¶

Many DPC physicians welcome visits from aspiring DPC doctors: - Shadow for a day - See different practice models - Ask practical questions - Build network

Etiquette: - Respect their time - Come prepared with questions - Follow up with thanks - Offer to reciprocate when you're established

Vendor Resources¶

DPC-Focused Vendors¶

Several companies specialize in serving DPC practices:

Practice Management: - Hint Health (membership management) - Atlas.md (EMR + practice management)

EMR: - Elation Health - Cerbo - Atlas.md - Charm Health

See: EMR Selection Guide for detailed options.

Checklist: Getting Connected¶

Immediate¶

• Join DPC Alliance (or at minimum, explore their free resources)
• Join DPC Docs Facebook group
• Create DPC Frontier profile
• Follow DPC voices on social media

When Starting¶

• Attend DPC Summit or regional event
• Connect with local DPC physicians
• Find a mentor
• Join state medical association

Ongoing¶

• Stay active in communities
• Attend annual conference
• Mentor others as you gain experience
• Stay informed on legislative developments

Resources Summary¶

Next Steps¶

• State Resources Directory - State-specific information
• Recommended Reading - Books and articles