Two doctors in Aiken have opened new practices that specialize in a personalized approach to health care with an emphasis on preventative medicine.
Tracy Barefield, a family doctor in North Augusta, and Alyssa Degnan, an internist in Aiken, announced the opening of their MDVIP-related practices via a news release Wednesday.
Degnan's practice is located at 440 Society Hill Drive in Aiken and Barfield's practice is located at 105 East Hugh St. in North Augusta.
MDVIP is an alternative model of primary care. Doctors who operate in MDVIP-related practices see fewer patients than doctors at traditional practices. This allows doctors at MDVIP practices to devote more time and attention to their individual patients, which allows them to develop a very specialized health care routine for them.
“I believe practicing good medicine requires an open dialogue and close partnership between doctor and patient,” Degnan said in a release. “Under the MDVIP model, I get to know my patients on a personal level and coach them through each step to achieving their individual health goals, whether it’s running their first marathon, reducing their medications or improving their nutrition."
Doctors operating with the MDVIP model take care to address how to prevent certain illnesses and diseases with their patients.
Tracy Barefield, a family-practice doctor in North Augusta, has recently opened a MDVIP-affiliated practice.
Tools such as the MDVIP Wellness Program provide a comprehensive yearly health assessment for patients in MDVIP practices in order to help with preventative health. The program provides advanced diagnostic tests and screenings for patients.
Barefield said in a press release the MDVIP network is good for her patients because it helps her with "creating a plan that helps them prevent illness and optimize their well-being for the long term.”
According to a 2012 study published in the American Journal of Managed Care, Medicare patients in MDVIP-related practices were admitted to hospitals 79 percent less than patients in traditional health care practices.
The same study found this statistic correlated with a one-year savings of about $300 million being delivered to the healthcare system as a result.
The press release also listed doctor availability as a benefit of the MDVIP model, stating that appointments "start on time and last an average of 30 minutes" and doctor's are available by phone 24/7 to patients.
South Carolina currently has 28 MDVIP-affiliated practices open. To learn more about MDVIP, visit mdvip.com.
