Get Started Today
About Robert M. Donawa, MD
"Well, it seems, Dr. Donawa, that you spend an average of six minutes more per patient visit when compared to your peers.” Those words stung as I sat through one of my quarterly reviews by my employer, assessing my adherence to quality metrics, amongst other things. Deep down, I felt like I had not given enough time to each patient before wrapping up and hurrying on to the next patient encounter.
But then an encouraging thought hit me, “Actually, this means I AM doing a BETTER job than my peers, in building the doctor-patient relationship,” which is one of the cornerstones of primary care. Time limits and quality metrics have slowly crept into health care and now dominate patient encounters. How can a primary care physician diagnose and treat illness, while building a trusting relationship…in seven minutes or less? The answer is: “They can’t!” Especially with complicated patients.
In a typical day, a primary care physician spends 24% of their time with patients and 49% of their time in the EHR (Electronic Health Record) along with other “desk work”. I have practiced family medicine in Northwest Ohio for over 25 years, including a large health system, a small-group private practice, and a multispecialty group. I chose to affiliate with MDVIP because it allows me to practice medicine the way I imagined it should be, the way I was taught in medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and during residency training with Mercy Health Systems in Northwest Ohio. The focus should be on prevention, proactive care, and building meaningful, long-term relationships with my patients. These values are the cornerstones of primary care. As a family physician, I am not simply a clinician to my patients; I’m also an educator, coach, and occasional cheerleader. The current high-volume model of medical practice leaves little time for anything other than the clinical aspect of medicine.
My MDVIP-affiliated practice offers the MDVIP Wellness Program, which includes advanced health screenings that go beyond offerings in traditional primary care practices. I use results from these screenings to develop a personalized wellness program. I also offer same- or next-day unhurried appointments with minimal waiting times, and I’m also available after hours for emergent and urgent matters.
For the past three years, I have tried to fit the MDVIP model into a traditional high-volume practice, and it simply does not work. My patients’ greatest complaint is that I run behind, yet delays are almost inevitable when I give each patient the time their visit requires. The MDVIP model will allow me to provide that time without falling behind.
Toledo, OH
Family Medicine 1997-1999
Toledo, OH
1996-1997
Cincinnati, OH
Doctorate of Medicine 1996
Bowling Green State University Office Pre-Professional Programs Advisory Board
"Toledo Parent" magazine 2nd Place Family Favorites PCP 2024
Michigan
Benefits of joining Dr. Donawa's practice with MDVIP
MDVIP Annual Membership Fee
The office of Robert M. Donawa, MD
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thu | Closed |
| Fri | Closed |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Doctors who operate in the MDVIP models typically see far fewer patients than traditional primary care doctors. That gives them more time to develop deeper doctor-patient relationships that can lead to better outcomes. They can also offer conveniences that most primary care doctors can’t, including same- and next-day appointments. They’re available after hours for urgent matters. And they have time to focus on prevention. That focus begins with the MDVIP Wellness Program, which patients pay for with their annual membership fee.
Most MDVIP-affiliated primary care practices accept insurance (your physician can tell you whether they accept your specific insurance plan). Your annual fee pays for preventive care medical services that insurance usually doesn’t cover (e.g., advanced diagnostic testing and screenings). Your MDVIP-affiliated physician will continue to bill your insurance and charge copays, co-insurances and deductibles as he or she currently does for other medical services like sick visits.
MDVIP makes wellness and prevention easier by providing your physician with innovative tools and technology. MDVIP supports your physician’s practice and seeks to eliminate barriers to a positive healthcare experience. Your doctor will determine whether and how to incorporate these tools at his/her discretion.
**The message above is a personal introduction from the physician, intended to help you get to know them better. The views, opinions, and statements expressed above are solely those of the physician and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of MDVIP. This content is intended for general background purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any mentions of expertise or quality of care are personal expressions and should not be interpreted as guarantees of performance or outcomes.