“The mechanisms….are exploitative and detrimental…whatever ounce of passion and stardust [that] pushes professionals into this career quickly vanishes, only to be replaced by distant cynicism.”

If you are thinking that was a reference to third party payors and burnout among physicians, think again.  That quote was from a 2022 article entitled “5 Reasons You Should Never Sign a Major Label Record Deal” by Circa, founder and CEO of Indepreneur .  He is a music industry insider whose has made it his life mission “to empower artists to not sign a record deal”.

As I read the article, there was something so familiar with what I was reading –

• “A record deal can cost a fortune”
• “Getting offered a record deal is a Catch 22”
• “The record industry encourages genericised sounds”
• “The record deal has a devastating failure rate”
• “Artists get shelved on purpose”

 My mind was thinking – 5 reasons why physicians should not sign insurance contracts –

• Loss of physician autonomy
• Signing the contract allows them into the exam room
• Gatekeeper, Protocols, EMR, Codes, Referrals, Prior Auths, etc.
• Burnout and suicide
• We are NOT providers

To my fellow direct care doctors, and to all those independent physicians who are about to flip the traditional insurance-based practice model on its head, be inspired by indie musicians who have been bucking the system in the music world for quite some time.

Think about it. Indie musicians and direct care physicians are two groups that, despite their differences, share many similarities in how they approach their professions.

Independence. Both groups have a desire to be their own boss, to make decisions that impact their work directly, and to follow their own path without interference.  Indie artists want an independent path to maintain control over their creative process and to preserve their artistic vision. Similarly, as direct care physicians, we are self-employed and work in smaller practices.  It allows us to provide personalized care to our patients without the restrictions of larger healthcare systems.

Creativity. Indie artists value creativity to find something original and stay fresh. This oftentimes means working outside the traditional music industry to create unique and innovative sounds. They strive to push the boundaries of their craft, resulting in a unique and diverse musical landscape. Now, think about what we can do in our direct care practices.  We have creativity too to develop innovative approaches to delivering care and treating our patients – tailoring our approach to the specific needs of the individual. In our practices, we have more time and flexibility to think outside the box. We see it in our practices that the ability to offer more personalized care, allows us to be proactive and have healthier patient panels.

Passion. It’s all about remembering the WHY we do what we do!  Indie musicians and direct care physicians love what they do. They have a commitment to their profession, and they pour their hearts into their work. For indie musicians, it’s the countless hours spent writing, recording, and performing music that is meaningful to them. Working outside the constraints of insurance allows the direct care doctor to concentrate on medicine and be patient-centric.  It allows us the chance to be proactive rather than reactive and offer the best possible care we can.

Indie musicians and direct care doctors are both driven by a desire for independence, creativity, and a deep passion for their craft. The similarities between them are a testament to the importance of autonomy in the pursuit of excellence and the impact it can have on those who embrace it.

So next time you are listening to your favorite indie artist – sit back and enjoy knowing that they are kindred spirits from whom the direct care movement can take inspiration!