For many physicians, the path to medicine is motivated not only by a fascination with science and the human body but also by a deep sense of empathy and a desire to care for others. Unfortunately, the daily reality of practicing medicine doesn’t always align with that passion, often due to overwhelming bureaucracy, systemic inefficiencies, and constant administrative hurdles. These obstacles were enough to push Dr. Nalini Casey, a pediatrician, to the edge of burnout before she found a new beginning at Privia Health.
Dr. Casey has long been guided by a philosophy rooted in delivering compassionate, evidence-based care while involving parents as active participants in their children’s health. “A lot of times that’s through education and teaching them about their child’s illness,” she explained. “Any time they come to me, they’re going to be heard, and I’m going to listen to them.” However, despite her commitment to this patient-centered approach, she found herself increasingly pulled away from the very reason she pursued medicine.
In her previous practice, Dr. Casey was inundated with documentation errors, billing and coding corrections, and late-night charting sessions. These tasks consistently robbed her of valuable face-to-face time with patients. “I spent way more time charting than I ever got to spend with my patients and their families,” she said during an episode of “The Break Room” podcast, where she recounted the mounting challenges that led her to reevaluate her career path.
The constant stream of administrative demands eventually took a toll. “I was starting to feel a little hopeless,” she admitted. “Was there a practice somewhere I could put my tablet down, look my patients in the eye, and spend the time I needed to with them and their parents?”
After years of grappling with frustration and questioning her future in medicine, Dr. Casey began searching for a better alternative. It was during this search that she discovered Privia Health—an organization that is also a member of the American Medical Association’s Health System Program, which supports healthcare systems with tools and resources to shape the future of medicine.
Dr. Casey’s first encounter with Privia Health happened in a hotel room during a trip out of town. One evening, she had a long phone call with Lisa Freda, vice president of provider recruitment for Privia Health. That conversation would prove to be pivotal.
“Lisa spent over an hour with me, just getting to know me. Where I trained, where I worked, what my experiences were,” Dr. Casey recalled. “She honed right in on what my expectations were, what I wanted, what I came from, and what the other practices were looking for. It was like a matchmaking service.”
Following that call, Dr. Casey was connected with several practices, ultimately leading her to Bayside Pediatrics, a physician-owned clinic in Annapolis, Maryland. Today, she thrives in that environment, thanks to Privia Health’s systems and culture, which have allowed her to realign with the values that first inspired her to become a doctor.
At Bayside Pediatrics, the internal operations support a seamless experience from beginning to end. From the initial phone call to schedule a sick visit to arranging a follow-up at the end of the appointment, every part of the care journey flows smoothly among front desk staff, clinical teams, and physicians. There are no gaps or missed steps, allowing for a consistent and thorough experience.
Even lab results, which can often be delayed or overlooked in disjointed systems, are sent straight to Dr. Casey’s inbox. This ensures that every patient gets the attention and care they need. She no longer worries about things slipping through the cracks.
Prior to joining Privia Health, Dr. Casey spent countless hours fixing records and correcting coding errors—time that could have been spent with patients. Now, thanks to a streamlined system for charting and coding that includes built-in safeguards like requiring an ICD-10 code before a chart can be finalized, she has reclaimed that lost time.
“It’s great because at the end of the month, I don’t have 20 charts coming back saying, ‘This ICD-10 code didn’t work for these labs,’” she said. The technology now does the heavy lifting, offering curated lists of appropriate codes and automating much of the documentation process.
Moreover, the system has provided Dr. Casey with an expanded professional network. “When I pull up referrals, the system suggests frequently used Privia providers,” she said. “When I first arrived, I didn’t know who to refer patients to, so that was huge.”
She also praised the specialized templates and macros available through the system. These tools are pre-populated with insurance requirements and prompts to ensure that all the necessary clinical points are covered. “Everything about the system is pre-populated with the things that insurance companies require and prompts about the high points they want you to cover, so you don’t have to think of it yourself,” she noted.
Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Casey can tell that these features were designed by people who truly understand her specialty. “I can tell when something’s been created by another pediatrician,” she said. “The templates and order sets just make sense.”
With administrative burdens dramatically reduced, Dr. Casey now enjoys a healthier work-life balance and more meaningful connections with her young patients and their families. “I’ve always tried to go the extra mile, and I have time to do that now,” she said, expressing appreciation for the broader network of care that includes therapists, psychiatrists, emergency physicians, and radiologists.
The transformation in her practice has not only helped her rekindle her passion for medicine but also restored the quality of care she can provide. With Privia Health, Dr. Casey no longer needs to compromise between operational efficiency and patient interaction. She’s found a model of care that reflects her core values as a pediatrician and allows her to do what she loves most: healing and helping others.
Dr. Casey’s journey is a testament to how the right systems and supportive environments can help physicians overcome burnout and return to the joy of practicing medicine. As she put it, “I have time to do what I’ve always wanted—to care.”