Gems

Of
Practice
Management

 

By
Hal Ornstein DPM, FACFAS
President, American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management
Board Member, ASPMA
Partner, S.O.S. Healthcare Management Solutions LLC
&
Lynn Homisak, PRT
 Trustee, American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management
Past President, ASPMA
Partner, S.O.S. Healthcare Management Solutions LLC



 
Gem #13


 Build Bridges, Not Walls and Detours
by Hal Ornstein DPM, FACFAS and Lynn Homisak, PRT
On a typical day within our offices we are challenged with several situations which are quite trying.  As hard as we try, there is that patient or two on our schedule who seems to cast a dark cloud over the once-sunny day.  Sometimes it feels like there is just not enough oxygen in your office to take that colloquial “deep breath” when they enter the office.  Nevertheless, why do we allow them to have such control over our psychological destiny? 

We play a game in our office with these “callous” patients who each seem to wake up waiting to make others in their world miserable.  The rules are quite simple: make this patient smile first and you win.  It is quite entertaining and we are always amazed how nice these patients become when you do not swing back at them.  They are just looking to pick a fight, which helps them to feel that they are superior and in control.  Give them something to chew into and by all means it may be a piece of you.  Our goal is to gain a win-win situation for the patient, staff, doctor and all the other patients observing.

Our moms, who always were able to bring sunshine to rainy days, taught us that to best survive in our often-tumultuous world we should remember that “we should not step on the toes connected to the buttocks that we may one day need to kiss”.  Harry Truman summed it up well when stating, “When given lemons make lemonade”.  Take control by letting go of it!
 

 

 

More to come................

Gem Archives

DISCLAIMER: Acceptance and publication of any letter, article, news item
or advertisement does not necessarily constitute or imply approval or
endorsement by myself of the product, idea, or content therein. I reserve
the right to edit or to not publish any material received. Any health- or legal-related information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical or legal advice or a substitute for the advice of a health care professional or attorney. Information pertaining to legal matters should not perceived as legal advice, nor should discussion about such issues as Medicare and billing be considered as definitive. All content is presented as being only the opinions of the contributors and is for educational purposes only.


Copyright © 2002, 2003, FootZine.com, Gayle S. Johnson, PMAC