Advertise on podcast: DPC Pediatricians Podcast

In this episode of the DPC Pediatricians, Phil and Marina discuss practical ways pediatricians can improve their online visibility and help more families discover their practices. They cover the importance of creating and maintaining a strong Google Business Profile, collecting patient reviews, improving website SEO, and using relevant keywords and backlinks to increase search visibility. They also explore how blogs and social media can help physicians establish credibility and connect with prospective families, emphasizing simple, educational content based on the questions pediatricians already answer every day in the exam room. Throughout the conversation, Phil and Marina share strategies for using AI to simplify some of these tasks while keeping content authentic, as well as tips for making online marketing manageable and consistent for busy DPC physicians. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this podcast episode of DPC Pediatricians, Phil and Marina discuss the importance of effectively training support staff as a DPC practice grows. They share practical insights on onboarding new team members, clearly communicating expectations, delegating responsibilities, and giving employees the tools and confidence they need to succeed. They also explore how investing time in training and building a strong team can help physicians step away from administrative tasks, create a smoother practice, and focus more of their energy on patient care. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this episode of DPC Pediatricians, Phil and Marina discuss how pediatricians building a DPC practice can be more intentional about where they invest their marketing time and money. They explore why community sponsorships, school events, local advertising, and other traditional marketing efforts may feel worthwhile but often provide little measurable return, particularly for newer practices working with a limited budget. They also share their experiences building referral relationships with other healthcare professionals and emphasize the importance of finding physicians, doulas, midwives, lactation specialists, chiropractors, and other professionals whose patient populations align with the families a pediatric DPC practice hopes to reach. Through examples of both successful and unsuccessful marketing efforts, Phil and Marina encourage pediatricians to think carefully about audience alignment and focus their resources on relationships and opportunities that are more likely to connect them with the right families. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this podcast episode of DPC Pediatricians, Phil and Marina explore whether the grass really is greener in Direct Primary Care. They share both the benefits of DPC—including greater autonomy, flexibility, and the ability to practice medicine on their own terms—and the challenges of practice ownership, such as financial uncertainty, marketing, and self-accountability. Ultimately, they offer a balanced look at why DPC can be incredibly rewarding while acknowledging that it comes with its own set of challenges. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this podcast episode of DPC Pediatricians, Marina welcomes Citlally Mancilla, founder of My DPC Insurance, to discuss malpractice insurance specifically for physicians practicing Direct Primary Care. Citlally shares how her experience in medical malpractice insurance led her to recognize that DPC physicians often have a lower risk profile than traditional primary care physicians due to smaller patient panels, longer visits, fewer hospital responsibilities, and differences in billing and practice structure. The conversation explores what physicians should understand when shopping for their own malpractice coverage, how DPC-specific factors can affect premiums, and why having an insurance professional who understands the DPC model can be valuable. They also discuss coverage considerations for new and established practices, the importance of accurately representing a practice’s current size and services when applying for coverage, and how some DPC physicians may be able to significantly reduce their malpractice insurance costs while maintaining appropriate coverage. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

Episode Summary: In this podcast episode of DPC Pediatricians, Phil and Marina discuss how DPC physicians can intentionally protect their time off while still providing excellent, accessible care to their patients. They share how they structure their weekly schedules around personal and family priorities, block off time for administrative work and self-care, and use tools like online scheduling to give patients flexibility without making themselves constantly available. Phil and Marina emphasize the importance of setting clear expectations with families from the beginning, including when physicians are available, how quickly messages will be answered, and what patients should do when their doctor is away. They also explore different approaches to vacations and coverage, explaining that DPC physicians can choose whether to remain available, arrange coverage with another physician, or completely disconnect as long as patients understand the plan ahead of time. Throughout the conversation, they reinforce that a monthly membership does not mean patients should expect unlimited, around-the-clock access and that maintaining healthy boundaries is essential for creating a sustainable practice. Ultimately, Phil and Marina encourage DPC physicians to take advantage of the flexibility of the model and intentionally design their schedules, availability, and vacation policies around the kind of life and practice they want to build. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this podcast episode of DPC Pediatricians, Phil and Marina discuss one of the most uncomfortable but inevitable parts of practicing medicine: making mistakes. They share personal stories of clinical and operational errors, emphasizing that transparency, taking ownership, offering a sincere apology, and learning from each experience are essential for maintaining trust with patients. They also explain how the strong relationships fostered in the Direct Primary Care model create a greater margin for grace, allowing physicians to navigate mistakes with honesty while strengthening, rather than damaging, the patient-physician relationship. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this podcast episode of DPC Pediatricians, Phil and Marina discuss what it means when a Direct Primary Care practice reaches a full patient panel and the strategic decisions that follow. They explore how every physician's definition of "full" is different, balancing patient volume, income goals, and work-life satisfaction, while sharing practical options such as implementing a waitlist, adjusting membership pricing, hiring additional clinicians, or expanding services. The episode encourages physicians to view a full panel not as a stopping point, but as an opportunity to intentionally shape the next phase of their practice in a way that aligns with their personal and professional goals. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this episode of the DPC Pediatricians Podcast, Phil and Marina explore how integrative medicine fits naturally within the Direct Primary Care model by discussing the distinctions and overlap between lifestyle medicine, functional medicine, and integrative medicine. Marina explains how integrative pediatrics combines evidence-based conventional care with complementary therapies while focusing on the whole patient and addressing the root causes of disease. They discuss practical strategies such as optimizing nutrition, sleep, movement, stress management, and appropriate supplementation, while emphasizing that DPC's longer visits allow for more personalized care and shared decision-making with families. Using ADHD as an example, they illustrate how physicians can thoughtfully combine lifestyle interventions with conventional treatments when appropriate, ultimately encouraging pediatricians to expand their clinical toolbox while remaining grounded in evidence-based medicine. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this podcast episode of DPC Pediatricians, Phil and Marina tackle a common question among physicians considering or building a Direct Primary Care (DPC) pediatric practice: do you need a unique niche or “competitive edge” to succeed? They discuss why most successful DPC pediatricians begin with comprehensive general pediatrics rather than a highly specialized service line, and how relationship-based care, increased access, and the ability to spend meaningful time with patients can be powerful differentiators on their own. The conversation emphasizes that physicians do not need additional certifications or subspecialty expertise before launching a thriving DPC practice. Phil and Marina also explore how clinical interests and niche services often develop organically once physicians have more time to learn, investigate complex cases, and pursue professional passions. Marina shares her journey into integrative pediatrics, herbal medicine, myofascial release, and clinical hypnosis, highlighting how confidence grows through experience rather than waiting for perfect credentials. The episode concludes with a discussion on physician marketing, value proposition, and practice growth, stressing that while a niche can make positioning easier, every DPC physician must clearly communicate what makes their practice different and why families should choose them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this podcast episode, Phil and Marina discuss one of the most uncomfortable but important topics in Direct Primary Care: raising membership prices. They challenge the common advice that physicians should avoid price increases and simply see more patients, arguing that this mindset undermines the core DPC goal of providing high-quality, relationship-based care. Phil and Marina explain that rising costs—including staffing, rent, supplies, and inflation—make periodic price adjustments necessary for maintaining a sustainable practice. They also address the emotional barriers physicians face, including fears of losing patients, disappointing families, or appearing profit-driven, while sharing examples of practices that successfully increased prices with little to no patient attrition. The conversation focuses on practical strategies for implementing price increases, including annual inflation-based adjustments, larger corrections when fees no longer reflect the value provided, changes to enrollment fees or family maximums, and passing through credit card processing fees. Phil and Marina emphasize that physicians should regularly evaluate whether their pricing supports long-term sustainability rather than simply covering short-term expenses. They also encourage practices to communicate the full scope of services they provide—including specialized evaluations, integrative medicine offerings, and other value-added services—when discussing fee changes. Their central message is that a financially healthy practice benefits both physicians and patients, and that raising prices should be viewed as a normal and necessary part of responsible DPC practice management. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this episode Phil and Marina discuss the challenge of dealing with entitled or difficult patients in a Direct Primary Care pediatric practice. Using recent real-world examples, they explore how unrealistic expectations, manipulative behavior, and misunderstandings can create emotional and operational strain for physicians. The conversation emphasizes the importance of maintaining clear communication, setting firm boundaries, trusting your instincts when interactions feel problematic, and recognizing that not every patient is the right fit for your practice. They also highlight the value of using difficult encounters as opportunities to refine processes and messaging while protecting both physician well-being and the culture of the practice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this episode of DPC Pediatricians, Phil and Marina discuss how DPC practices can use the slower summer season as an opportunity for growth and innovation. Phil shares his idea for an ADHD “tune-up” program focused on improving sleep, nutrition, exercise, routines, and school readiness before the academic year begins. They explain how DPC physicians have the flexibility to create specialized programs and provide more personalized care than traditional practices. The episode also focuses on physician sustainability and creativity within the DPC model. Marina describes a potential summer mental health program for parents and children centered on emotional wellness and family involvement. Throughout the conversation, Phil and Marina encourage physicians to use slower seasons to recharge, explore new interests, strengthen patient relationships, and build a more sustainable and fulfilling practice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

Episode Summary: This episode provides a detailed update from Phil and Marina as they reflect on the current state of their direct primary care pediatric practices. They walk through what it looks like to approach and reach patient capacity, and the operational and emotional shifts that come with that milestone. They share practical insights into how growth impacts day-to-day workflows, patient access, and key decision-making. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on hiring—one of the most complex aspects of scaling a DPC practice. They discuss considerations around bringing on additional physicians or team members, structuring compensation in a sustainable way, and ensuring alignment with the DPC model. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining a strong cultural and philosophical fit as practices expand. They also explore the financial and operational implications of growth, including balancing increasing patient demand with preserving the personalized, relationship-based care that defines DPC. The episode offers a candid look at the tradeoffs involved in scaling, along with practical insights for navigating this next phase of practice development. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com

In this episode, Phil and Marina explore how AI scribes are transforming everyday pediatric practice. What once required hiring and managing a human scribe can now be handled by tools that integrate directly into the clinical workflow. They share their experiences with different platforms and emphasize that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—getting the most out of these tools requires some customization and experimentation. A key benefit is the ability to shift attention back to patients, with less time spent on the computer and more meaningful interaction during visits. They also discuss the importance of reviewing AI-generated notes for accuracy, along with the relatively low cost and accessibility compared to traditional scribes—especially for DPC and independent practices. Overall, AI scribes are quickly becoming a practical, patient-centered tool for improving efficiency while maintaining high-quality care. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com