🎧 Episode 57 – "Value in a Visit: A Doctor Becomes the Patient"

Hey, it’s Dr. Fred Bagares. In this episode, I share my recent experience as a patient in a traditional insurance-based clinic—something I rarely do since switching to direct care practice.

I went to see an ophthalmologist for some concerning floaters, and the visit made me reflect deeply on what value truly means in a medical encounter. As someone who's worked hard to build a personal, relationship-driven practice, it was eye-opening (pun intended) to sit on the other side and witness a very efficient—but impersonal—system at work.

If you’re a physician, patient, or just someone curious about what truly matters in healthcare today, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

🕰️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Why I saw an ophthalmologist (and what triggered the visit)
• [01:00] – First impressions: busy waiting room, multiple waiting areas
• [02:00] – A step-by-step walkthrough of the visit logistics
• [03:00] – The actual medical encounter: 7 minutes with the doctor
• [05:00] – Breaking down what I paid for vs. what I experienced
• [06:00] – The disconnect between medical quality and emotional experience
• [08:00] – What patients value in healthcare vs. other service industries
• [09:30] – Why the human side of care still matters—barbers, vets, and doctors alike
• [10:30] – "Price is what you pay. Value is what you get."
• [12:00] – How direct care models offer a more meaningful patient interaction
• [13:00] – Rehab isn’t transactional—it's relational and nuanced
• [14:00] – Why insurance-based systems often fail both patients and clinicians
• [15:00] – A challenge to both patients and physicians: What are you going to do about it?

This was a personal one. It reminded me why I started MSK Direct in the first place—to offer something better than a system that often prioritizes process over people. If you’re fed up with 7-minute visits and checked boxes, this episode is for you.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode sparked something for you. Let’s keep the conversation going about what healthcare could and should be.

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