Provider Spotlight: How Telemedicine Helped This Doctor Regain Control
Dr. Adrian Blackwell needed to make a change. A board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, he’d been practicing for over 10 years in a variety of settings. From the emergency room to urgent care clinics to wound care — there’s not much he hasn’t seen throughout his clinical career. But what was missing throughout all those years? Control of his life.
About three years ago, Dr. Blackwell reached a turning point in his career when the time came to make drastic changes. While he loved his work, he’d found himself in a situation that was unhealthy for himself and his family. Dr. Blackwell has two children with chronic conditions. The night shifts, unpredictable scheduling, and insomnia made for an unsustainable situation.
In an effort to find a new path, Dr. Blackwell left the only career he’d known in medicine. And in the process of finding a better fit, he even went through a year-long period when he worked 14 different jobs, pushing and pulling every lever possible to get the balance he desperately needed. And this effort is what landed him at GoodRx Care nearly two years ago. He’s now providing high-quality care to more patients than ever, but he finally has complete control of his life.
What initially drew you to the practice of telemedicine?
Dr. Blackwell: Due to my life circumstances, I needed a big change. I needed to find the flexibility and autonomy that would allow me to be fully present for my family and myself. After a lot of exploration, I started looking into telemedicine. At first, I didn’t plan to do video visits. I have extremely high expectations and standards when it comes to the quality of care. I was being very selective because I wanted to be with a company that was offering the best clinical services possible. Thankfully, I found that in GoodRx Care. One of the first things I thought when I learned how they were doing things was “Wow, that makes a lot of sense.”
What’s unique about what GoodRx Care is doing in the telemedicine space?
Dr. Blackwell: The way that GoodRx Care selects the patients that we see ensures that we’re only seeing patients that have issues or concerns appropriate for virtual care. And because we now operate in all 50 states, we’re able to provide some of the most immediate care around. It’s a game-changer for patients. But what truly sets GoodRx Care apart is the empathy and personal touch that’s present in everything we do. Every day, we’re told to do what’s best for the patient, no matter what. If that means referring them elsewhere, so be it. If that means helping the patient find a way to pay for a visit they can’t afford, so be it. From a clinical and professional standpoint, I’ve never before been a part of a clinical organization that has the heart and soul that GoodRx Care does. And just as importantly, we take care of each other. I feel respected and trusted as a provider, and I have the flexibility I need to ensure I can show up for my family and ultimately keep burnout at bay.
What are the benefits of telemedicine for providers?
Dr. Blackwell: Where do I start? You really find a sense of control and flexibility you never could have imagined. You’re able to craft the life you truly want and need, which is something you just don’t get with any other type of medicine. I can provide care from anywhere in the world. My family can plan a vacation around my kid’s schedules, rather than my clinical schedule, and I can travel anywhere and continue to practice. More so, it creates a new capacity for creativity. In the daily grind in a hospital, clinic, or in-person practice, the idea of finding brain capacity to be innovative is almost unfathomable. But with telemedicine, the flexibility means I have time and space to think of new solutions to old problems.
What advice do you have for providers who are nervous about the complexities of billing for telemedicine services?
Dr. Blackwell: Work for a company that already has patient billing figured out! Whether it’s a side gig or a full-time role, companies like GoodRx Care will handle all of that for you. With the majority of telemedicine gigs, you’re paid on a per-visit basis. Many companies also offer salaried positions with benefits and the works. But if you’re trying to figure out how to implement telemedicine services in your existing practice, the best approach is to find a service that will help you manage that.
What do you think the future holds for telemedicine?
Dr. Blackwell: I think we have only just started to see what the future holds for telemedicine. As technology continues to grow and we have the humility and courage to embrace it and use it for our patients and practices, we can grow and adopt changes that will continue to transform the landscape of medicine as we know it.
