In a world where healthcare often feels impersonal, I believe authenticity isn’t just a choice—it’s a necessity. Patients are seeking real, meaningful care, and doctors like myself are looking to reconnect with the purpose that led us into medicine.
It comes down to finding commonality among us. I recently reread C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. For me it resonates the need to be purpose-driven and reassures with clarity and encouragement my advocacy for direct care in private practice. Lewis writes about authenticity by embodying our core beliefs, working with intention, and connecting in ways that reflect who we truly are.
Staying True to Our Calling
If we believe that the concept of integrity involves staying true to our beliefs, even when it’s difficult, that challenge is familiar in healthcare today, as pressures from third-party payers often dilute the purpose that brought us here — to care for people. Many of us entered medicine because we wanted to make a genuine difference. But somewhere along the way, healthcare became more about transactions than healing. For those of us in direct care, however, we can make a different choice—to prioritize patient relationships and honor each person’s individual needs. For me, practicing medicine this way not only reflects my core beliefs but also brings me closer to the essence of care.
Putting Our Values into Practice
In direct care, my values aren’t theoretical—they shape every patient interaction. The challenge is to live our values consistently, not just when it’s easy. To me, this means creating a space where my patients feel seen, respected, and valued. Without the clock ticking or protocols dictating every decision, I can spend the time needed to explore root causes and develop care plans that are unique to each patient. This approach transforms healthcare into a partnership. I don’t see patients as case numbers but as people, each deserving of individualized attention and respect.
Building Trust Through Genuine Connection
Trust and healing go hand in hand. With the idea that real compassion means treating others as we’d want to be treated, I see this reflected in every patient relationship. Direct care gives me the freedom to connect personally with my patients, to learn about their lives, and to understand their health goals. It’s these relationships that make medicine meaningful for both of us. Patients feel comfortable sharing their concerns, knowing they’ll be truly heard, and I get to offer care that goes beyond symptom management, aiming instead for genuine quality of life.
Authenticity in healthcare is needed now more than ever.
Patients want doctors who care deeply about them, not just their charts. Direct care offers an escape from the transactional model of medicine, giving us the freedom to align our actions with our values. For me, it means rediscovering the joy of practicing medicine, and for patients, it builds a foundation of trust that supports proactive, values-driven health choices.
A Challenge to Physicians and Patients
If you’re a physician, I challenge you to consider what authenticity looks like in your practice. Are you aligned with the values that first brought you to medicine? If you’re a patient, seek out a provider who listens, values your input, and respects your individuality. Direct care can be a powerful step toward a healthcare experience that values you as a person.
Let’s choose authenticity in healthcare. It has the potential for transformative change that both physicians and patients deserve!