Focus - Who We Are
In August of 1979 I started medical school. I opened Midtown Family Medicine in 2009. My dream was and is to deliver the best primary health care in Kansas City! Our driving foundational values include: Devoting optimal visit time to allow us to engage patient-centered care and shared decision making. Patient centered care … we create the invitation for you to tell us without interruption your concerns/symptoms/reasons for coming to see us. This sets a more relaxed open energy for you to tell us your story. We then have a conversation to further elaborate on your story. We use many interview skills to understand your story.
Shared decision making is also part of the conversational atmosphere. After understanding the current state (your story) we perform an exam to further understand your story. From all of that information we begin to look at possible diagnoses and then plans to address those diagnoses. Almost always there are many options or paths available to investigate further and to treat problems. We share options we believe to be strong and together decide on a plan that fits for you.
In addition to patient centered care and shared decision making we have additional core values/focuses: a focus on health; a deep and strong ethical network of clinicians and healthcare workers/organizations; strong ethics in delivery of care; understanding diagnostic and therapeutic actions are undertaken with an assessment of potential risks and benefits; engaging patients in a personal and powerful connection during visits; creating an environment of teamwork; connecting with the community; respecting all those that seek our care with a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion; and being readily available to patients.
MFM succeeds because I will never compromise from quality. MFM is a reflection of who I am and who we are. We do not answer to an institution’s financial goals. Our hearts must be satisfied. This is the measure. This drives us to provide safe, best quality, powerful, effective, engaged, superior … care.
We are committed to quality for all of our patients. Our average number of patients per day now is ten. Our goal is 12 to 14 patients per day. We have same/next day appointments available every day for new patients and establish patients. We will always have same-day or next-day appointments available. The average number of patients seen by a provider per day in the Midwest is 20 to 24. The average time spent with the patient is between 13 and 24 minutes. Our average is over double that. It is common for us to be with a patient for an hour or more. The additional time allows for the patient to completely present their issues and the provider to gather the information, evaluate the issues and discuss potential options. Patients leaving our office feel that they have been heard and they have a plan in place that will work for them. This is patient-centered care and shared decision-making.
We were drawn to medicine because we wanted to help people and we are passionate about creating the connection with the human beings that seek our care. We know our ability to help people is mostly determined by our ability to connect. There is no shortcut for getting to know you … our patient. We see the frustration of clinicians routinely required to work faster and meet financial goals. We will not sacrifice on your health or on our relationship with you to meet production goals. We can’t do that. Our passion for our patients simply won’t let us.
We are the best. If you want this kind of care come visit us.
Gary Thompson, MD
August 11, 2024