Medics who Rain on Your Parade, by Dr. Ogi Ressel
June 21 2009, 12:00 am
Warm hellos to everyone!
I've had a ton of phone calls lately from doctors who are having the local MD in their
town rain on their parade! And I know that you've all experienced this and found it
frustrating and even humiliating.
I've dealt with this issue in the past but let's visit it again! This is an problem that
has most Chiros feeling like second-class citizens - like you just climbed up from under
some rock. It is a situation most of us have endured and suffered through - what do you
do when one of your patients tells you that their MD told them not to see you any longer
(or a chiropractor any longer). Tough call. Gets your blood boiling, your heart rate goes up,
your stress meter hits the red zone, and you bone up on videos of the Terminator and Rambo.
I mean, who is this jerk, this bloodsucker, that he can tell me ___________(fill in your name)
what to do?
...And when did he graduate from Chiropractic college?
Ok.
Relax. It is most likely not personal!
The MD, in all likelihood, is just trying to do the best for his patient (which also happens to be
your mission as well) based on his limited data and his flawed philosophy of health. In his
circumstances, you'd do the same.
The problem is NOT that he told his patient not to see you. NO. The problem is that he did
not consult with you prior to speaking with your patient - who also happens to be his patient as
well. Unfortunately, this is where many physicians think that you do not matter, that they are
omnipotent and sit on the right hand side.
Here is how to remedy this situation so that it NEVER happens again:
Personally visit this doctor in his office and tell his receptionist who you are and that you need
5 min of his time.
OR.......you can write him/her a personal letter,
OR....you can call him at his office.
Here is what I suggest you say:
"Hello Dr. _____.
A pleasure to meet you/write to you (ok....you are being nice). I'm Dr. _____.
I understand that you asked Mrs. Jones, who is a patient of mine as well as yours, not to see me.
Is that correct? (here is where most physicians back paddle. They do not want a confrontation with you).
I know that you have her best interests in mind but want you to know that your behavior was very
unprofessional.
How would you feel if I asked one of your patients (and I have many in my office) not to see you again?
Do you think it would bother you?
You should have consulted with me first. I am also this patient's doctor.
However, I am willing to forgive and forget that this happened this time. But, should I hear a repeat
performance, I want to you know that I will lodge a formal complaint against you with your State Board
for unprofessional conduct, and you will be investigated (And you know that your Board is under
mandate to investigate all complaints). I am certain that you would not want to see your name in the
headlines of our local paper: "Local Doctor Under Investigation." Whether you are found to be right
or wrong makes no difference - you were investigated. Can't be good.
So, please consult with me in the future. Thank you for your time."
Please remember to do this professionally, with no anger, malice, or emotion. It is what it is.
You are simply drawing a line in the sand and telling the MD that he must not cross that line.
Period.
Trust me on this - you will never have a problem with any of the physicians in town ever again.
Word will get out very quickly that you are not to be toyed with. Of course, this will also end your
relationship with any medics in town, and if that is the practice you aspire to - crumbs off the
table - then you should reconsider and suck it up.
The incident is closed by having your attorney then send the offending medic a letter reiterating
your position.
That is it. Short. Simple. And no prisoners are taken.
In the event you decide not to act, it will haunt you, you will feel humiliated, angry and I will
guarantee that it will happen again, and again.
If you need clarification, please feel very welcome to call me.
Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel
Your Affirmation for the week:
I Love my Life.
I live in abundance of those things that matter to me
And I share that abundance with others.
My life is good.
