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A conversation with Dr. Carson Rounds

Happy little girl, mother and family doctor playing fun game with toy and neurologist's hammer.

Our August 9th, 2024 podcast is a conversation with Dr. Carson Rounds from Charlotte NC. Dr. Rounds is a longtime leader in NC Family Medicine, with over 30 years of practice experience. He has cared for patients and families in rural, suburban, and urban communities. 

                Dr. Rounds raises important questions about the profound changes in the way Family Medicine is practiced and administered over the last 4 decades. Carson states that FM leaders, insurance providers, and health care systems have spent the past 20 years developing a value-based framework to compensate adequately our precious front line doctors.

               But he argues that better pay is not the most critical need for our specialty. Rather, the biggest need is devising ways to give us more time with our patients – to get us off our captive computers, off our pre-certification phone calls, and back into the exam room, doing what we do best – direct patient care. Dr. Rounds argues that the real work of medical care is the time we spend with patients, helping them achieve lifetime healthy behaviors.

               Perhaps someday there will be improved EMR systems that enhance human connection rather than just feed data points. Perhaps someday, AI technology can eliminate the need for doctors and staff to spend hours pre-certifying and justifying coverage. But in the mean time, we family doctors need to become advocates for these vital administrative changes.

               So, as Dr. Rounds says: “Get involved.” Your local FM support group, your health care system, your state Academy, and your AAFP await your passion and your leadership.