Direct Primary Care in Rural Idaho with Dr. Jillian Klaucke

Maryal Concepcion
3 days ago
4 min read

DPC Doctor

Today, we explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Jillian Klaucke, a family physician and wilderness medicine fellow who found her path back to her roots in Sandpoint, Idaho, through DPC.

Finding Her Calling

Dr. Jillian Klaucke’s story begins with her transition to DPC, which she admits happened before she fully understood the model. Introduced to the idea by a partner, Dr. Klaucke was initially skeptical, thinking, “This isn’t real.” However, after a conversation with Dr. Frazier King, who had been practicing DPC for a few years, the pieces began to fall into place.

Dr. Klaucke recalls sitting in Dr. King’s office, her curiosity piqued as he explained the model. She was struck by the potential to form lifelong patient relationships without the interference of insurance companies. With encouragement from her husband, she saw the opportunity to balance her professional life while growing a practice from the ground up.

A Wild Journey Back to Sandpoint

Dr. Klaucke’s journey is as diverse as it is inspiring. After medical school in Nevada and residency in Billings, Montana, she embarked on a global adventure, practicing in Baltimore, Maryland, and New Zealand. Her time in New Zealand was particularly formative, exposing her to a healthcare system that provided affordable care and the work-life balance she craved. Despite the challenges of practicing in a country with limited resources, she found joy in the simplicity and self-reliance of the New Zealand healthcare model.

Returning to the US, Dr. Klaucke and her family uprooted their lives, moving back to Sandpoint with little more than a few hundred pounds of belongings. It was there, in the scenic town of her childhood, she joined forces with Dr. King to establish a thriving DPC practice.

Building Meaningful Relationships

In Sandpoint, a community where she is both a native and a trusted physician, Dr. Klaucke enjoys the unique advantage of familiarity—yet, she approaches her practice with integrity, ensuring confidentiality and professionalism. She frequently engages in what she calls the “Sandpoint spiel,” assuring patients that their privacy is paramount.

Dr. Klaucke’s practice thrives on personalized care. She reminisces about a patient visit that encapsulates the essence of DPC: a patient arrived with a list of concerns, and it was only at the end of the consultation that a potentially serious issue was revealed. The ability to take the necessary time to address all her patients' concerns is a hallmark of her approach to care.

Education and Mentorship

Beyond patient care, Dr. Klaucke is committed to the future of medicine. She actively encourages medical students and residents to explore DPC, offering insights and mentorship. She recounts inviting interns to rotate with her, wishing someone had extended the same opportunity during her training.

Her advice to aspiring DPC physicians is clear: understand the financial landscape and be prepared for the long haul. She emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and patience, encouraging new entrants to have a thorough understanding of both their immediate and long-term financial goals.

JOIN OUR PATREON COMMUNITY TODAY FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

CONTENT YOU WON'T HEAR ANYWHERE ELSE! START LISTENING to the EXCLUSIVE PATREON COMMUNITY CONTENT TODAY!

The Power of DPC: Affordability, Accessibility, and Quality Care

Dr. Klaucke’s story is a testament to the power of DPC as a business model. It offers affordability without compromising quality, ensures accessibility, and fosters genuine, lasting relationships. It provides a work-life balance that traditional models rarely support, granting physicians the autonomy to tailor their schedules to accommodate both professional aspirations and personal commitments.

In Dr. Klaucke’s practice, patients have direct access to her via cell phone, a reassurance that underscores the philosophy of accessibility that DPC embodies. Her ability to provide timely, patient-centered care where every concern is addressed reflects the core tenants of DPC.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Klaucke’s journey in DPC is far from over. While she expresses optimism about a possible addition to her practice, she’s keenly aware of the evolving landscape of healthcare in Idaho, particularly with potential changes to Medicaid expansion. Yet, she remains committed to expanding her practice and ensuring that more patients can benefit from the care model she passionately believes in.

For Dr. Jillian Klaucke, DPC isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. Her journey showcases how physicians can reclaim their role as caregivers, all the while maintaining the professional and personal balance many seek but few achieve in traditional practices.

Thanks to Dr. Klaucke for sharing her inspiring journey. For those listening and contemplating DPC, her story is a vibrant example of how this model of care can transform both the lives of doctors and those they serve. The ideals of accessibility, affordability, and relationship-based care serve as a beacon for the future of healthcare.

Join us next week for more stories from the world of Direct Primary Care, where doctors are reshaping the healthcare landscape one patient at a time.

Find marketers, lawyers, tech partners and more wherever you are in your DPC journey!

Watch the Episode Here:

Listen to the Episode Here:

CONTACT/LINKS:

Sandpoint Premier DPC

Learn more about Dr. Klaucke's Grandfather, Dr. Verby who was the first director for the Rural Physician Associate Program after developing and implementing the idea. HERE

Hear about Sandpoint on This American Life HERE

Dr. Amelia Huntsberger loves everything about her rural town in northern Idaho. Her OB-

GYN practice. Her patients. Her family. But for almost a year, she’s been fighting a losing battle, and realizing that she and her family might soon have to pull up stakes and leave. (28 minutes)