The LA wildfires have left many facing loss, displacement, and uncertainty. In times of disaster, access to healthcare becomes more critical than ever. With traditional medical facilities often forced to close, residents have limited options for care. Direct Primary Care (DPC) offers a flexible, patient-centered approach that can help fill this gap, ensuring individuals and families receive the support they need in these crucial moments.
How? Well, since many DPC providers already offer telemedicine, patients can receive care remotely even when they can’t visit a clinic.
For displaced families, this means a doctor is just a call or video chat away. Prescriptions can be sent to the nearest pharmacy, and it becomes possible to receive ongoing medical support—without the red tape of insurance. On top of that, this eases pressure on emergency rooms and ensures people continue receiving care when it matters most.
A Call to Action: Mobilizing the DPC Community
This isn’t about capitalizing on a crisis. It’s about responding with meaningful solutions. The LA wildfires highlight the need for an agile and community-driven healthcare system. DPC is more than an affordable and convenient option—it’s a model that can withstand disasters and continue serving patients when they need it most.
As part of this effort, Atlas.md is offering free EMR access to doctors in affected areas. The right tools will help providers maintain patient records, offer telemedicine, and ensure uninterrupted care, even under the challenging conditions they find themselves in.
We’re calling on LA-based doctors and DPC providers nationwide to get involved. Whether it’s volunteering, offering free telemedicine consultations, or sharing resources, every contribution makes a difference. Together, we can prove that DPC isn’t just a healthcare model—it’s a lifeline for communities in crisis.
If you’re a doctor in LA or someone looking to contribute, reach out. Contact us at support@atlas.md and we’ll do our best to help.
Let’s make this vision a reality and show how the DPC model can help the community in difficult times.
One of the greatest joys of DPC is helping patients remotely, no matter where they are. But a doctor is only as effective as their tools, which is why we’re enhancing our telemedicine capabilities with new Enhanced Video Call Controls. This video call toolbar streamlines telemedicine and gives you more control of your video calls, letting you focus on delivering better care—no matter where you or your patients are.
The video call toolbar lets you adjust three key features during your calls:
Turn your webcam on or off without disrupting your call flow.
Mute or unmute your microphone for clear communication.
Switch to full-screen mode to remove distractions and focus on the patient.
Your patients get the same set of controls, allowing them to adjust their video, audio, or full-screen settings as needed. Now, both you and your patients get a consistent and user-friendly experience.
These intuitive controls significantly improve the telemedicine experience, allowing you to spend less time fiddling with settings and more time focusing on patient care. For more information about how these controls work, check out our support article. And if you have any questions about these new controls, please don’t hesitate to contact support@atlas.md.
Direct Primary Care has revolutionized healthcare access in urban centers, providing a more efficient and patient-focused alternative to traditional fee-for-service models. Now, as DPC practices expand, they’re bringing that success to rural communities, offering underserved areas the same level of care that urban patients have long enjoyed.
But how does DPC impact rural healthcare, and is it the best solution to the challenges faced in these regions?
The Healthcare Challenges of Rural America
The traditional healthcare model has long struggled to meet the needs of rural communities. With fewer physicians and long distances between patients and care providers, access to healthcare in these areas is often limited. In fact, due to a critical shortage of primary care physicians, one in five rural areas is considered a primary care desert. This shortage has led to delayed care, preventable conditions, and higher costs.
One solution to these challenges is the DPC model, which has already shown benefits in urban environments. This patient-centric approach is now being adapted for rural settings, where healthcare access has traditionally been restricted.
However, implementing DPC in rural areas doesn’t come without challenges. These regions face unique obstacles, such as fewer doctors, limited infrastructure, and geographic isolation.
But DPC is perfectly poised to meet these challenges head-on. One permanent DPC clinic could be enough to serve a community facing physician shortages and limited healthcare facilities. Telehealth, a core functionality built into the DPC model from the start, can also offer enormous benefits to rural communities located hours from the nearest clinic.
Attracting Physicians to Rural Areas
One major benefit of DPC in rural areas is that it attracts physicians who may otherwise be hesitant to practice there. The typical fee-for-service model can be less appealing due to unpredictable income and high administrative burdens. In contrast, DPC offers a steady income and reduced paperwork, making it an attractive option for both experienced doctors and new graduates seeking a better work-life balance.
Studies show that physicians in rural areas value improved working conditions, professional development opportunities, and access to resources. Additionally, doctors who feel integrated into the community and enjoy a good quality of life are likelier to remain in rural areas.
DPC naturally supports both factors by fostering stronger bonds between doctors and patients and reducing stress, allowing physicians to work more effectively.
Reducing Healthcare Costs for Rural Communities
DPC also helps mitigate the higher healthcare costs often associated with rural areas.
Patients in remote locations are often forced to travel long distances for specialty care, leading to higher healthcare expenditures. However, with robust telemedicine services, DPC practices make specialty consultations no further away than a few clicks. By taking advantage of these technologies, rural physicians gain faster, easier, and more cost-effective access to specialists than many of their urban counterparts.
DPC’s emphasis on preventive care also leads to fewer hospital admissions, further lowering costs and improving overall health outcomes.
Rural communities can also benefit from DPC’s adaptability. In a traditional healthcare system, rural areas often receive limited or delayed resources, but DPC’s flexibility enables it to respond more quickly to a community’s specific needs.
This can range from tailoring health programs to the region’s predominant health concerns to ensuring that healthcare is available during off-hours or weekends.
A Bright Future for Rural Healthcare
The success of DPC in urban settings is no longer just a tale of metropolitan prosperity; it is now making its way to the rural heartland. By reducing barriers, attracting providers, and offering an efficient, preventative approach to care, DPC can be a game-changer for those living away from cities.
As this model continues to grow, it’s clear that DPC holds the potential to reshape rural healthcare in a way that’s sustainable, efficient, and patient-focused, all while fostering healthier communities.If you’d like to see the power of DPC in action, check out this interview and case study of Beth Renzulli, MD, in Middletown, Delaware.
Imagine you’re discussing a case with a specialist and need to share a recent lab report. It’s a busy day, and the last thing you want is to create a separate note or dig through a chart to find attachments stored elsewhere. Or maybe you’re replying to a colleague’s update and want to include a diagnostic image or updated referral form. In the past, this often meant juggling extra steps or using different tools to keep everyone on the same page.
Not anymore.
Reply Attachments makes adding context to your conversations effortless. Now, you can attach files directly to your chart replies. Whether it’s a critical test result, a revised treatment plan, or an educational resource, you can include everything you need in the same reply.
This means no more fragmented discussions or misplaced files. It also means you can skip the redundant steps and attach files directly in replies to answer questions, share updates, or provide supporting documentation, all in one seamless motion.
For more information about how this feature works, check out our support article. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@atlas.md.
Let’s face it—managing patient files can sometimes feel like juggling flaming swords. You’re flipping between apps, attaching files, and adding notes, all while trying to stay focused on patient care. It’s not exactly the most productive part of your day.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a small (but mighty) new feature that will make your life easier—Drag & Drop File Attachments.
Say goodbye to the clunky back-and-forth of uploading files. With our new drag & drop functionality, adding files to patient charts is now as simple as… well, dragging and dropping. Whether it’s a single document or a batch of files, you can move them from your desktop or other OS app into Atlas.md with ease.
By simplifying file management, we’re freeing up your time to do what you do best: caring for your patients. No more fumbling with files—just efficient, seamless record-keeping at your fingertips. If you have any questions about this feature or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@atlas.md.
We know how critical it is to keep patient charts updated with accurate and timely information, and we also know how tedious it can be to attach files from your phone. That’s why we’re introducing a faster, more intuitive way to add image attachments to patient charts—right from their profile screen in the Atlas.md Mobile app.
Now, you can select and upload 1 to 3 images directly to a patient’s chart in just a few taps. You can also add relevant notes or context to the image(s) before they’re saved.
Whether it’s a photo of a medication label, an X-ray, or any other visual reference, adding attachments is now quicker and simpler than ever.
We’ve also redesigned how you access key patient actions in the app. The new Patient Actions menu (see more about this in our support article) puts essential tools like making calls and adding attachments and tasks all in one location.
Whether you’re attaching a quick image to a chart or creating a task for follow-up care, these updates ensure you spend less time navigating the app and more time focusing on your patients. If you have any questions about these updates, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at support@atlas.md.
Keeping track of patient contact information shouldn’t feel like a scavenger hunt. Your time is better spent focusing on patient care, not wrangling spreadsheets or cross-referencing contact apps.
That’s why we’ve introduced Contact Cards for Patients.
With just a click, you can download a vCard for any patient directly from their profile or export a batch of contact cards for your entire roster. These cards seamlessly sync with all major apps like Google Contacts, Microsoft Outlook, Apple Contacts, and your phone’s native contact manager. So whether you’re managing information from your desktop or your mobile device, you’re covered.
No more manually entering phone numbers, emails, or addresses. By streamlining how you store and access patient information, you’ll spend less time managing details and more time delivering care.
For more information on how Contact Cards work or to see them in action, check out our support article.
And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at support@atlas.md.
No one likes to be kept in suspense when shipping something crucial like medications.
But even with the most reliable logistics in the game, there’s always that tiny chance something goes sideways. And when it’s a high-value item like your patient’s insulin, it’s always better to err on the side of caution so you’re not left out of pocket if the USPS driver evaporates.
This is precisely why we cooked up Shipping Insurance. This new feature gives you peace of mind by protecting your shipped medications against potential loss or damage. It’s a game-changer for anyone who’s had that “please, just make it there” moment after clicking “Ship.”
With Shipping Insurance, you’re not just sending out medications or packages—you’re sending them confidently, knowing they’re covered if something goes wrong.
This means you can focus more on patient care, not package tracking drama.
For more information on how Shipping Insurance works, the fee structure, and how to claim, check out our support article.
And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at support@atlas.md.
Ever been in a bind because you couldn’t quite explain something to a patient over text? Maybe it was an essential label, an irregularity in an X-ray, or a detailed prescription instruction. Sometimes, words just don’t cut it in the way that images can.
That’s why we’re introducing the ability to send images to patients with Atlas.md Mobile. No more detours through extra apps or email attachments. Now, you can share visual information directly in your patient conversations with a few simple taps.
This feature doesn’t just add convenience—it brings speed and clarity to patient care. By streamlining communication, you can ensure that your patients stay informed and that you spend less time untangling text-based instructions.
This means cutting down on miscommunications, fielding fewer “Can you clarify?” calls, and ultimately allowing you to focus more on what truly matters: providing the best care possible.
For more information on how this feature works, check out our support article. If you have any questions about sending images within Atlas.md Mobile, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@atlas.md.
You write them a prescription, dispense it, and they head on their way.
An hour (or worse, days) later, you find out the same patient has a pending refill for their blood pressure meds, due tomorrow.
Not only do you have to arrange for shipping when the patient was just in the clinic, but you’re also incurring additional overhead costs. Meanwhile, the patient has to wait for meds that could have been handed to them earlier.
Frustrating, right? That’s why we developed Refill Suggestions.
This new feature helps you group any upcoming refills with new prescriptions you’re writing for your patient.
Now, with one click, you can bundle all the medication your patient needs, both new prescriptions and any outstanding or upcoming refills.
This means no more extra shipping fees and admin for you. No missed refills and waiting for your patient.
Just wins and mountains of time saved for everyone involved.
For more information about how this feature works, check out our support article. And if you have any questions about Refill Suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to support@atlas.md.
