What is Micropractice?

Micropractice, or what some call an ideal medical clinic or medical home, believes primary care is best delivered in the context of a continuous and collaborative doctor - patient relationship, fostering comprehensive and personalised care. In the age of limited health care dollars and increasing clinical demands, meeting these competing agendas is difficult. However, micropractice is one way to bridge this gap. Unlike traditional medical offices, in a micropractice, staff, facilities and equipment are minimised, thereby allowing resources to be directed back to the patient and provider. Further, technology, such as an online scheduler and secure electronic messaging, removes third person disruptions, improves efficiency, access and communication for both parties. Think back to days gone by when a patient and doctor knew each other well. The major difference is the integration of technology and resource prioritisation to increase sustainability and longevity.

A micropractice model creates space for not only the science but the art of medicine. If you ask anyone who has ever relied on the health care system they will be the first to tell you, the “art” of medicine is the difference between being treated like a person versus a number. It is the difference between a correct prescription or diagnosis and one that contains an error, between being heard rather than dismissed, between a busy, rushed office and a medical home. If patients and providers are to be healthier, happier and more successful, primary care needs to be delivered differently and micropractise is one such way. Willow Family Medicine is proud to be on the forefront of this change.

Key Principles

Personal

There is no reception desk. A health-care provider greets patients seated in the comfortable waiting room.

Communication

Each provider attends to their own phone messages and emails, limiting third party confusion. Email is the main method of communication for administrative concerns. It is much quicker than phone; however, medical issues are only addressed in person. Administrative assistant support is reserved for tasks technology cannot address and has minimal involvement with patients, as providers attend to these concerns directly.

Access

A micropractice cares for a limited number of patients to ensure appointments are available when needed. Further, providers reserve same-day, semi-urgent appointments for those unpredictable concerns.

Continuity

Patients visit the same provider every appointment, fostering familiarity. Evidence shows this reduces error and improves health outcomes, as well as increases the provider’s enjoyment of their practice.

Online Scheduler

Quick, convenient and easy to use, almost all appointments are booked online. For those unable to do so, appointments can be done via phone. However, very few choose this option.

Patient Portal 

Instead of telephone calls, patients will receive a secure email via Medeo for administrative concerns.

Appointment Only

No drop-ins of patients or visitors. Semi-urgent appointments are available upon request.