Podiatry Arena members do not see these ads

Hi All,

As a podiatrist (private practitioner) with 25 years experience, I can still get frustrated! Is it just me or am I not alone?

My top 3 frustrations would have been:

1. Outstanding accounts.
I've have delivered a professional service but have not been fairly compensated. How do I avoid the work and frustration of chasing up bad debts? (I'm glad to report that since March 2002, I no longer have any outstanding fees).

2. Inefficently prepared for the 'real world'.
Upon graduation, (1982), I had some competence(?) in the conditions I was treating BUT had little competence in running a 'business'. My undergraduate training had virtually NO business training. Given that I hung up my shingle 2 weeks after graduating, I ended up 'paying' for this education through experience (which i refer to as school fees; the school of hard knocks). 25 years later, my 'school fees' have accumulated but have also been 'paid off'. I accept too, that there will always be ongoing 'school fees', it's just where they get paid varies...

3. Distinguishing myself from all the other podiatrists.
Why should a (potential) patient choose ME? How do we learn about the business of 'marketing'! Is this a dirty word in the 'health industry'? It is an important fact in business and whether we like it or not, private practitioners have to 'sell' themselves and there business. Distinguishing my practice from the hundreds of others is a necessary step in the 'business world'.

So, these would be/have been on my Top 3 list of frustrations. I'm fascinated to know what yours are/have been.

Ted Jed.[IMG][/IMG]

1. Patients with unrealistic expectation that despite being told ad nauseum, just don't get it.
2. (Still thinking about it)
3. (Get back to you this one)

1. No shows
I don't mind if a patient rings to cancel an appointment 10 minutes before hand . . . well maybe I do!
At least I know the slot is free to begin a consult with an early patient or to run errands, pay bills or get onto Podiatry Arena.
How rude is it not to contact the clinic if they are unable to keep their appointment?

2. Mothers / fathers / grandparents who bring along the smallest members of their family.
How difficult is it to occupy a small child in the clinic whilst treating the patient?
I don't have the patience when they decide to use the clinic as a running track or a place to scream or have a tantrum.
You can tell we have just been through school holidays when I start complaining about the little ones!

3. People who ring the clinic in the morning wanting an appointment that day and complain when this is not possible.
We have public holidays in Australia at the moment that run almost every week.
This causes a short working week for all.
What do you say when all appointments are filled and they still want you to fit them in today after their doctors / hairdresser / eye appointment?

Enough complaining from me!

Elaine

Ah, yes, the good old general public!! It's a funny animal....I have a notice in my practice stating that there is a $30 charge for non attendance and it is also stated at the bottom of the business card. People are quite happy to pay if they have forgotten their appointment and it has brought those "lazy" patients into line (you know those ones who just don't want to get out of bed some days?). Some serial offenders will be called to remind them of their appointment the day prior, so if they STILL don't turn up, they are in trouble! Those few who don't want to pay just don't come back.....fine! I must admit, I do make allowances for hospitalization/deaths or similar!! But do you find that non attendance runs in 3's? and that it often relates to the weather (too hot/too cold?).

1. Teenagers who think those stringy bits on the top of shoes are for decoration and after mum forks out the GNP of belgium for "good" shoes, tie them once then forget about them for 6 months.

2. Patients who come to clinic for a review of they're insoles they were issued, without thinking to bring said insoles, or the shoes they are wearing them in, or in one case, a parent coming in for her sons review ... without her son. (i did'nt what to take him out of school, i can tell you whats been happening.)

3. Patients who think that after 20 mins on the web they know the type of orthotic they need and that you have not yet supplied them with the "metatarsal support / arch lift / special carbon fibre / computer scanned / extra soft / extra hard" insole they need because you enjoy having them back every 4 weeks to winge at you or that you are maliciously holding back the treatment they need for the hell of it.

Good job you said the top 3 things. Now i think about it there are hundreds!!!

Regards

Robert

Oh dear, is this a pandora's box of worms that the cat amongst the pidgeons slipped on the banana skin? The good thing is though, we can gripe on the 'Forum' rather than burdening our partners!

Interesting that the theme relates to 'the public' and their behaviours. Jos' policy of charging $30 for 'no show' is good. I wonder how many pods 'say' this but don't enforce the policy? It can take a bit of hutzpah to do it.

Elaine's patients don't always get what they want straight away! Hmmm, a trait of being human huh?

DaV's patients have unrealistic expectations. Where do they get them from? Are WE responsible? Do we communicate clearly enough? Do we give an inaccurate message to them? And what about the www! Patients who pick up a little knowledge can certainly be a source of frustration!!

I've found that most frustrations can be aleviated by having clear, enforced policies. For each situation, I had to establish; what am I prepared to accept here? What do I want to have happen here?

I fondly remeber the wise words; 'We get what we tolerate.' If a situation occurs that we are not willing to tolerate, our actions will differ from a situation that we are willing to tolerate.

Ever had an example you did tolerate, THEN decided, '...that's it, never again!' How did your practice change...?

Ted Jed

I agree to an extent - my practice has curiously grown to become mostly focused on diabetes, not really by intention, but more because no-one else seemed to be doing any significant work in this field in my area.

However, I do take issue with some practitioners whose need to 'distinguish' themselves and their practice gives rise to shonky claims, supposedly miraculous treatments that are superior to the 'competition' and products and services that cast doubt on the capabilities or skills of other members of the profession.

eg:

• 'computerised' orthoses
• 'soft' vs 'hard' orthoses
• manipulation/mobilisations that 'correct' foot types and pathological processes

That being said, my frustrations in running a practice revolve more around professional issue, rather than the public at large:

1. Minimal political influence of our profession
2. Medical dominance and control over 'subordinate' professions
3. Restricted access to necessary diagnostic and treatment options for my patients

LL