“What’s one unique way you’ve used the DPC model to empower patients in their own health decisions? How has this impacted patient outcomes?”
Parent coaching a core, integrated part of a child’s treatment plan
Beyond the Patient: Using DPC to Empower the Family System
In child and adolescent psychiatry, a young patient’s progress is deeply intertwined with their home environment. I’ve adapted the Direct Patient Care (DPC) model to address this directly by making parent coaching a core, integrated part of a child’s treatment plan. Instead of being an optional add-on, these dedicated sessions are included in the membership, shifting the focus from solely treating the child in isolation to empowering their primary support system—the parents. This creates a powerful therapeutic alliance with the entire family unit.
These coaching sessions are not traditional family therapy. They are practical, skill-building meetings where we translate clinical strategies into real-world parenting techniques. For example, with a teenager struggling with social anxiety, we coached his parents on how to shift from “rescuing” him in social settings to becoming his supportive “exposure coaches.” They learned to validate his fear while gently encouraging small, manageable steps, like ordering his own food at a restaurant, which transformed the family dynamic from one of avoidance to one of empowerment.
The impact on patient outcomes is profound. Empowering parents creates a consistent, therapeutic, and understanding environment for the child at home. In my practice, this has led to faster improvement in my patients’ coping skills, better adherence to the overall treatment plan, and a significant reduction in family conflict. The ultimate empowerment for the child comes from feeling understood and supported by their family, not just managed by them. This holistic DPC approach nurtures a resilient family ecosystem, leading to more sustainable mental wellness.
Ishdeep Narang, MD, Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist | Founder, ACES Psychiatry
Offering them extended access to their health data
One unique way I’ve used the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model to empower patients is by offering them extended access to their health data. Through secure, online portals, I share test results, treatment plans, and notes from visits in real-time, allowing patients to review and ask questions at their convenience. This transparency has led to more informed decisions, as patients are able to engage with their care more actively.
For example, one patient who had a chronic condition used the portal to track her progress and directly communicated with me about adjusting her medication. As a result, she felt more in control of her health and reported improved adherence to her treatment plan. This approach has not only increased patient satisfaction but also resulted in better long-term health outcomes by fostering a deeper patient-provider relationship and a greater sense of ownership over their health.
Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen