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FootZine,
Volume 31 |
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| FootZine took last week off while I was
in Sunriver, Oregon. What a beautiful place! Speaking to
the support staff gathered at the Oregon Podiatric Medical
Association meeting was a great opportunity to get some new ideas
and see some different exhibitors. There was also the chance
to hear Mr. Kevin West's perspective about HIPAA. I got
to connect with some old friends, and got acquainted with some new
ones. Sometimes we get pretty caught up in our world of feet and codes and regulations and forget about the rest. Sometimes we forget how many other ways there are to go about the work we do, and we don't think about our peers outside of the podiatry context. It was fun to get to do some after-five visiting and learning about some of the "other lives". We discovered that many of us love a bargain and don't mind sharing our best sources. Everyone knows now that chocolate is a breakfast food. I felt very safe in that group with a couple of EMTs and an Advanced Life Support instructor. I also learned that one energetic and clearly competent person I visited with is, in her other life, a second-term Mayor of North Powder, OR. Way to go, Carrie Crook! Despite our complaints about being cold, the evening dusting of snow just added a little magic to the wonderful surroundings. I hope next time to remember to take a few more pictures than you'll see here: http://www.footzine.com/FZ_8J.htm Thanks, OPMA! ~ Gayle *_* "It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well." - Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650), 'Le Discours de la Methode,' 1637 *_* *_* Letters
*_* From: Sharon Hockinsonre: MediSoft Does anyone use MediSoft in their office? How do you like it in comparison to other softwares (such as Millbrook?). Any and all ideas and recommendations welcome. We will be outfitting our new office with a computer & software come July, and need something inexpensive yet good. Sharon Hockinson, PMA pjhock@satx.net Podiatry Clinics- San Antonio http://www.geocities.com/podiatryclinics *_* First Answer *_* Sharon, Here is a recommendation from Ray Posa for a software company right in San Antonio: Sharon can contact HealthTec. They make FoxMed. It is a really nice software package and they are based in San Antonio. Their contact info is: HealthTec Software 20323 Huebner Road Suite 111 San Antonio, TX 78258 Phone 210-545-1010 www.foxmed.com *_* Sharon is not the first to write with this kind of question. Can anyone else make some recommendations? *_* *_* Gems
of Practice Management *_* Our day is even brighter in the office when one
of our patients brings us a cup of delicious Starbucks coffee.
Many of these patients ask how we can drink such strong coffee and
we give a simple response “How can you drink those other
coffees?” This is why Baskin-Robbins offers so many
different flavors of ice cream and jellybeans come in so many
colors. We ALL have different tastes, preferences, and
expectations.by Hal Ornstein DPM, FACFAS and Lynn Homisak, PRT "Love That Starbucks Coffee!" We too often lump our customers together and call them generically “patients.” Yes, they are our patients, but we frequently make the mistake of reacting to them all the same way and not recognizing their individual needs. We get frustrated that some don’t understand something that the vast majority of our patients comprehend easily. Or that they doubt or do not accept a simple treatment plan which will have a significant impact on their clinical outcomes. We often need to take a step back and look at the “individual” or particular situation and look at the motivation for their behavior. Even though we speak of “canned” presentations to patients, there is no canned way to deal with someone’s emotions or reaction to a suggested course of treatment, a billing conflict, or fear. We have no idea the stresses one is dealing with in their life that is resulting in their behavior. Many of us are fortunate with a comfortable living, healthy children and security. This leaves many of us naïve to the misfortunes of many and the inner conflict this creates within our patients. Try to look beyond the obvious when dealing with your patients and give them the benefit of the doubt resulting from the unknown. The old adage “to take a walk in someone’s shoes” would result in quite the wake-up call for many of us. Our paycheck is not from a “patient” but a “customer” who deserves respect, consideration and for us to look beyond the obvious. Enjoy that next cup of coffee…strong, weak, black, regular or sweet! Previous "Gems" can be found on their own pages of the FootZine.com web site, at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_90.htm *_* *_*
*_* "In A Glass of Cider" -
Robert FrostIt seemed I was a mite of sediment That waited for the bottom to ferment So I could catch a bubble in ascent. I rode up on one till the bubble burst And when that left me to sink back reversed I was no worse off than I was at first. I'd catch another bubble if I waited. The thing was to get now and then elated. This Robert Frost poem seems like a good analogy for the effect of a great meeting or a really positive interaction with an appreciative patient. Those high points linger in memory to inspire us until the next bubble. Have a memorable (but safe) holiday weekend - and don't forget to write! ~ Gayle *_* *_*
*_* Copyright 2003 Gayle S. Johnson, PMAC All
Rights Reserved. Gayle S. Johnson, PMAC |
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