Discovering a New Level of Healthcare in Puyallup

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As we go through our lives, we traverse a series of labels: infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult. We also accumulate labels for our health such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, or even heart disease. As we age the list of labels attached to us may grow. And by the time we receive the label of senior some of us will have what feels like a catalog of health conditions many of which start with “chronic.”

With 68% of adults over 65 managing two or more chronic conditions—labels—many of us need more attention at the doctor’s office. That means the 15-minute average appointment times, though they are enough for some, they may not be adequate to meet all of your needs.

Now Sound Family Medicine, with their focus on a lifetime of care, has responded to this dilemma with their new Senior Clinic offering a new model of healthcare delivery just for eligible Medicare beneficiaries who have health issues like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or COPD.

The Senior Clinic, opening on December 1 in Puyallup’s South Hill, will resemble the boutique medical practices you may have seen on the internet with some important differences. First, they won’t charge additional insurance costs through participating plans.

To give you a better idea of how unique the new Senior Clinic will be when it opens, we sat down virtually with the SFM team and asked them some questions.

How will a patient’s experience at the Senior Clinic differ from the primary care we’re used to?

With so many more health issues to address, some of our Senior Clinic patients will need more time—sometimes double or more the average appointment. Where the average Medicare-covered primary care interaction is about 15 to 20 minutes—and that’s often enough—the Senior Clinic’s providers will be able to expand appointment times to 30 or 60 minutes if that’s what’s needed for the appropriate care. Even though most of that time may be spent with team members and other tasks, it still gives you time for the right level of interaction to explain your worries, ask questions, get clear, good advice, and even get to know your doctor.

That does sound like the way a doctor visit used to go—very different from the rush and forms you may see today. Can you walk us through a visit?

Sure! The concierge style of care model ensures a more personal experience. From the moment you walk in the door, you’re greeted by the friendly staff. They’ll be expecting you and they’ll know your name. They’ll confirm your appointment and settle you into our homey waiting area if there’s time before your appointment starts. You’ll be offered a place by the fire, a beverage, and friendly smiles.

When the appointment time arrives, your concierge will guide you to one of our state-of-the art exam rooms where you’ll meet with your doctor.

Wait. You have a fireplace?

Oh yes! We’re very proud of our common room where our patients can settle in, enjoy a hot beverage, or get to know each other. There’s a fireplace, comfortable chairs, and a community area. It really has a welcoming vibe. It’s a great place to meet and relax.

Sounds really nice. Tell me a little bit about the Senior Clinic’s doctors.

The Senior Clinic is very excited to have two dedicated lead providers who are responsible for coordinating your care and leading your care team.

Dr. Sean Stout was raised here in the northwest and attended BYU and the University of Utah School of Medicine. He loves the personal side of medicine—helping the whole person stay healthy and investing the time to build a strong partnership.

Tracie Jefferson, PC-A has been providing healthcare to her communities for 14 years and is passionate about building relationships. She believes that good health comes from an open and interactive dialog with her patients.

Dr. Stout and Ms. Jefferson lead your care team and will see our patients at every appointment. Like a traditional personal physician, they will know you, your health, concerns, and goals. They’ll be more than a “provider;” they will be trusted partners advising you as your healthcare needs change.

You say that Dr. Stout and Ms. Jefferson will lead care teams. What do the care teams do?

As you can imagine, with so many “labels,” or conditions following our Senior Clinic patients around, they need more than appointments; they need proactive care. The dedicated care teams at the Senior Clinic will help our patients stay ahead of their conditions and their general health picture so minor issues don’t expand into emergency room visits.

Every patient of the Senior Clinic will have an assigned care team that meets every day to discuss their case. They will be intimately aware of your unique needs, preferences, and health situation. It also means you’re not having to re-introduce yourself every time you go into the doctor’s office. Every appointment starts with a familiar face you know and trust.

And sometimes appointments end with a trip across town to a pharmacy or lab. That can be a bit of a pain.

We’ve taken care of that! Our on-site pharmacy and lab are both under the same roof, so if you pick up a prescription or need a test, you just walk down the hall and take care of it. No more driving all over town.

What I’m hearing is that the Senior Clinic has discovered a really different way for people who need it to see the doctor.

We’re hoping to slow down the provision of health care for those who need more attention. When you have multiple chronic or complex health issues or prescriptions to deal with as most people over 65 do, 15 minutes may not always be enough. That’s why Sound Family Medicine created this new and separate service just for those of us who need the option for a different level of care.

If one of our readers thought they might benefit from this new level of care, how would they become Senior Clinic patients?

Senior Clinic will limit its patient population to select eligible Medicare beneficiaries. This smaller patient population is part of the reason that appointment times can be extended so dramatically. To find out if you’re eligible, you can either complete a quick questionnaire here at the Senior Clinic web page.

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