Happy Summer, all!
It is hard for me to believe it is coming to the end of JULY already. As I sometimes say around here, “wow”.
Summer is also a time that is typically quiet here in our Village, but this summer our phones keep ringing, so I thought I’d share a little on why patients are calling and choosing a concierge medicine model for their primary care. (Those of you who are patients already know why they then choose The Village Doctor as their new concierge medicine home!) Based on these calls, here are the common frustrations leading to a switch from traditional primary care to concierge medicine practices:
Inability to Communicate Quickly and Easily with Their PCP
Patients are frustrated by long wait times for call-backs and lack of direct access. Concierge care offers easy, fast communication—typically directly with your doctor.
Feeling That Their PCP Doesn’t Know Them
Traditional doctors are stretched thin, leaving little time to build relationships. Concierge physicians truly know their patients and provide personalized care.
Appointments Often Being Scheduled with Physician Extenders
Seeing a nurse practitioner or physician assistant instead of your doctor can feel impersonal. In addition, an unintended consequence of relying on physician extenders is that the physicians and patients don’t have as much opportunity to get to know each other, and their relationship suffers. In concierge care, your doctor sees you—every time.
Inability to Schedule an Appointment When Feeling Unwell
Long waits and being redirected to Urgent Care are common. Concierge patients get same-day appointments when they’re sick.
Lack of an Advocate in a Bureaucratic System
Patients often struggle alone to get referrals or schedule with specialists. Concierge doctors help coordinate care and act as true advocates.
Lack of Preventive Care
Busy practices focus on sick visits, not prevention. Concierge medicine makes room for proactive, preventive care tailored to the patient.
If this resonates with you, or your friends and family, please have them give us a call – we have several excellent physicians who still have open practices.
Also, these frustrations are starting to occur in the subspecialty space as well. We now work with a number of “concierge” subspecialists. Please see below for some thoughts from Dr. Divya Railan, who tells us about her concierge dermatology practice.
Please stay safe, healthy, and well this summer (and don’t forget your sunscreen)!!
Eric
Eric Weiss, MD, DTM&H, July 2025
Nightmare or Night Terror? A Pediatrician’s Guide for Parents
As a pediatrician, I often hear concerns from families about their child waking up crying, screaming, or completely inconsolable in the middle of the night. Sleep disruptions in children can be distressing for both kids and caregivers, especially when the cause isn’t clear. Two common culprits are nightmares and night terrors, and while they may seem similar, they are quite different in origin, appearance, and how parents should respond.
How Much Protein Do You Really Need? A Doctor Explains
We’ve all heard the advice: “Eat more protein.” But how much do you really need—for long-term health, fat loss, and preserving muscle as you age? As a physician who regularly counsels adults on weight and healthy aging, I’ll walk you through what the research says and how to apply it practically.
Blood Types and Disease Risk
The interaction between health and disease is complex. Factors that come into place are nutrition, sleep, nutritional intake, environmental factors, germ exposure, trauma, and underlying functional makeup. The last of this is determined by your genetics and impacts the army within you (the immune system). Genetics also determine your blood type. This may be very important as increasing evidence points to your blood type affecting your susceptibility to various diseases. Concierge physicians often have more time than your typical primary care doctors to explain these to you and you need this time to understand the concepts behind this topic–and how it may very well affect you.
Who Needs a Concierge Dermatologist?
If you’ve ever wished for a dermatologist who truly listens, understands your unique needs, and is always just a call or message away, concierge dermatology may be the perfect fit for you.
Music to your ears?
You probably know that music is more than entertainment—it’s medicine. Research shows it can lower stress, ease pain, improve sleep, and even support memory and healing. At The Village Doctor, we value simple, proven ways to care for the whole person—and music is one of them.
To that end, The Village Doctor is a proud sponsor of the PV Palooza Summer Concert Series, 2025. We even have rock n roll patients… go check them out!
Another very local live music opportunity is right down the road at Filoli. As you probably know, the very beautiful Filoli is a historic estate in Woodside known for its stunning gardens, grand Georgian-style mansion, and peaceful walking paths nestled in the foothills.
What you might not know is that they also have a summer music festival! From their website:
“Two weeks. Six bands. One unforgettable experience.
Get outside this summer and enjoy the perfect combination of live music and nature at Summer Stage. As performers take the stage in the Meadow, set against the stunning backdrop of the Historic House, this concert series delivers the ultimate outdoor music experience. Beautiful summer weather, breathtaking natural beauty, and captivating music—it doesn’t get much better than that!”
Read more here about their Summer Stage Concert Series.
See you there?
Lastly, TVD Newsletter is a labor of love. If you enjoy reading this, please share widely! Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Please subscribe here.
Yours, in health,
Eric and the TVD MD team…
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general informational and education purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider to discuss whether any treatment, medication, or information is appropriate for you, and for guidance on any emerging updates in care. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on the information provided here.
