Direct Primary Care: Practice Distribution and Cost Across the Nation.

Direct primary care (DPC) is an emerging practice alternative that (1) eliminates traditional third-party fee-for-service billing and (2) charges patients a periodic fee for primary care services. We describe the DPC model by identifying DPC practices across the United States; distinguish it from other practice arrangements, such as the "concierge" practice; and describe the model's pricing using data compiled from existing DPC practices across the United States. Lower price points and a broad distribution of DPC practices were confirmed, but data about quality are lacking.

Finding a faster route to practice: from medical student to board certified physician.

An examination of two types of educational tracks used by medical students seeking a faster route to practice: 1) "3+3" programs that combined the final year of medical school with the first year of a primary care residency, and 2) graduating from medical school after only three years. The "3+3" programs were discontinued despite reports indicating their success. Three year medical school options are still available at a handful of medical schools. Finally, the paper will explore why and how medical schools might wish to enact a three year curricular option.