The Time Problem: Why Rushed Healthcare Fails Everyone
The Reality of Modern Primary Care
"Got 99 health problems but only 16.2 minutes to discuss them?"
If this hits too close to home, you're not alone. The average primary care appointment in the U.S. lasts just over 15 minutes [1]. Fifteen minutes to discuss your health concerns, review medications, address new symptoms, and plan your care.
When Time Constraints Hurt Health
Recently, I met with a woman who had been struggling with chronic pain for months. It was affecting her activity levels, her mood, and her overall quality of life. But every time she tried to discuss it with her previous provider, the conversation felt rushed and dismissive.
Chronic conditions are complex. They require time to explore the full medical history, understand how symptoms impact daily life, and have thoughtful conversations about treatment options—including the risks, benefits, and side effects of different medications. In a 7-minute appointment, there's simply no space for that kind of comprehensive care.
When she came to Mint Health, something different happened. She had time to settle into her thoughts and tell her complete story. We explored treatment options she'd never heard of, discussed her concerns openly, and developed a plan that finally brought her relief.
This isn't just about one patient—it's about a broken system that prioritizes quantity over quality.
The Mint Health Approach: Fundamentals First
We believe primary care should return to its fundamentals: listening, understanding, educating, and following up.
Our member-supported model creates
Smaller patient panels allow meaningful relationships
No pressure to see maximum patients per day
Ability to respond thoughtfully to patient communications
Same-day availability without overbooking
What Unhurried Care Looks Like
Take another patient of mine who has a very strong response to medications and was going through significant stress at work and with family. When her blood pressure readings were consistently elevated, I knew we needed to try medication—but I also knew her personal context mattered.
Instead of prescribing a standard dose and hoping for the best, we talked through her concerns, her stress levels, and her sensitivity to medications. I started her on the smallest possible dose, and we stayed in close communication about how she was feeling.
The result? She tolerated the medication beautifully with minimal side effects, and her blood pressure returned to normal. But more importantly, she felt heard, understood, and cared for as a whole person—not just a set of symptoms to manage.
This is what happens when providers have time to really know their patients and can make treatment decisions based on the complete picture, not just clinical guidelines.
Your Next Step
Primary care doesn't have to be rushed, impersonal, or frustrating. If you're ready to experience healthcare that's built around relationships instead of time constraints, we'd love to meet you.
