05/23/2026
It's one of the most common things I hear — and the frustration many relate to.
▪︎ The average primary care provider is managing 2,000+ patients.
That's not a typo. With insurance reimbursements for primary care continuing to shrink, the pressure to see more people in less time only grows.
▪︎ Most appointments are squeezed into 15-20 minutes.
In that window, your provider is expected to review your history, address your concerns, perform an exam, manage any chronic conditions, order labs or referrals, document everything, and still make you feel heard. It's not possible — and most providers know it.
And when you're not in the room, the work doesn't stop.
Medication refills, portal messages, lab results, phone calls, prior authorizations, paperwork. It's been estimated that for every hour spent with patients, nearly two hours go to administrative tasks.
▪︎ Long waits. Short visits. A different face every time. Leaving with questions you didn't get to ask.
This isn't a provider problem. It's a system problem.
It's also exactly why I built TideShift the way I did — with a smaller patient panel, longer appointments, and direct access. Not because I have it all figured out, but because I believe you deserve a provider who actually has time for you.
📍 Bremerton, WA | In-clinic + telehealth across Washington
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