Key Highlights:

* Journey into Direct Primary Care (DPC):

Dr. Jalan Burton transitioned from traditional pediatric practice to DPC after experiencing burnout in the conventional healthcare system. She founded Healthy Home Pediatrics in 2019, offering 85% house calls and 15% in-office visits.

* Challenges in Traditional Healthcare:

She describes systemic burnout, unrealistic time constraints (10-minute follow-ups), and the lack of autonomy in patient care as major reasons for leaving.

* Building a DPC Practice:

* Knowing Yourself & Your Needs: Entrepreneurs should assess their strengths, weaknesses, and personal circumstances before launching.

* Financial Planning: Many DPC practices fail due to a lack of financial sustainability.

* Avoiding Comparison: Success in DPC looks different for everyone, and comparing to others can be discouraging.

* Balancing Motherhood & DPC:

* Dr. Burton has three children, and one of them was born while managing her practice during the pandemic.

* Strong support systems (family, childcare, home organization) helped her navigate work-life balance.

* Maternity leave was planned strategically by scheduling early visits and arranging coverage with trusted colleagues.

* Lessons Learned & Advice for New DPC Physicians:

* Avoid blindly following online advice—every DPC practice is unique.

* Invest in business coaching and mentorship.

* Prioritize self-care and structured time management (e.g., dedicated self-care Fridays).

* Implement systems for managing finances and patient memberships.

* Future Plans & Mentorship:

* Dr. Burton is launching a mentorship program for mothers in medicine and women of color transitioning into DPC.

* Emphasizes the importance of creating sustainable, joyful practices that benefit both physicians and their communities.

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