Welcome to The Connected Physician, the podcast where healthcare leaders and innovators share their journeys and insights to inspire and inform. In this episode, host Katharina Juenger interviews Dr. Arun Villivalam, a family medicine practitioner with 20 years of experience, an MBA from Wharton, and a leadership role at a San Francisco-based health tech startup backed by top-tier venture capital firms. Dr. Villivalam shares his inspiring journey from medical residency to private practice and beyond, offering valuable lessons on navigating the intersection of medicine, technology, and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Katharina and Dr. Villivalam discuss:

• The Journey to Private Practice: Dr. Villivalam reflects on his career evolution, from working in diverse medical environments to embracing autonomy as a private practice physician. Learn how his experiences with the Indian Health Service, Cerner, and an employer-based clinic group shaped his approach to patient care and practice management.
• Balancing Technology and Medicine: Discover Dr. Villivalam’s insights into the challenges of implementing electronic medical records (EMRs) and how tailoring technology to fit primary care needs can enhance efficiency and improve patient outcomes.
• The Role of a Virtual Scribe: Dr. Villivalam redefines the scribe’s role, emphasizing the importance of organizing information within complex primary care workflows. Learn how his virtual scribe supports his practice by ensuring data accuracy and streamlining administrative tasks.
• Managing Complexity in Primary Care: Explore Dr. Villivalam’s strategies for addressing multiple medical issues during patient visits, including leveraging an accountable care organization (ACO) model to enhance care quality while maintaining practice profitability.
• Overcoming Private Practice Challenges: Dr. Villivalam candidly shares the hurdles of running a private practice from rising costs to stagnant insurance reimbursements. He highlights the importance of collaboration with marketing firms and billing services to maintain operational efficiency and financial stability.
• The Future of Healthcare and Technology: Dr. Villivalam shares his vision for personalized care driven by thoughtful AI and technology integration. He critiques billing-focused systems and advocates for innovations that empower healthcare providers to deliver patient-centric care.

Links and Resources:

• Arun Villivalam on LinkedIn

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