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Another example of the “Ugly 3 P’s”–Poor Practice Positioning

Marketing our businesses……..ah, so many make it sound so challenging….when indeed it is nothing more than “thinking like the customer”. Several weeks ago I shared with you the story about my daughter Brianne who was time-abused by one of her doctors. This link will take you back to her debacle if you want to refresh your mind.

Now I have another fresh and more painful example sent to me by a young teacher-friend of my wife who has affectionately referred to me as her second Dad (could it be that I’m so damn old?).

Here is what I want you to do: read Sheri’s plea and then in the comment section below, share with me what you would do if you were in HER SHOES. This is just one more example of pathetic care being delivered by arrogant and uncaring health care providers who fail to stop to relate and empathize with their patients/customers.  NOTE: two years ago I fired this same doctor for behaving similarly with me regarding my pre and post surgical care.

“Hi favorite second Dad, I’m not sure if Mum told you my story or not but here it goes. I went to see Dr. Davis again almost 6 months after my food surgery. My appointment was for 12:00 p.m. I left our report card meeting at the school to go to this after getting permission from my Principal. I took the time as a lunch hour. I checked in at desk and asked if the doctor was on time today. Their reply was, “he isn’t even here yet, and his nurse is seeing most of his patients”. I explained I was on my lunch hour so I wouldn’t be able to wait long. I waited about 30 minutes when they called me. The nurse put me in a room and said, “I’ll be back”. 15 minutes later she returned. Took my info again, and I explained I needed to get back to work. Finally after a total of an hour and 15 minutes, Dr. Davis entered with a student doctor. The first thing he said was, “Oh this is the patient that won’t heal”. No introductions, just ridicule! He poked around a bit as I told him where my foot hurt.  Then he proceeded to tell me that there is nothing in my foot’s anatomy that would be causing me pain that he could think of. I asked about the constant swelling and he said to wear the compression sock (nothing new there). He then asked me if I had used pads for my feet. I had no idea what he was talking about. He then wrote a prescription for some sort of pad that I place on my foot and referred me to a pain management doctor. That was it…no other help or suggestion.
Let me tell you, I really don’t like this guy!!! No I wasn’t like your daughter Brianne who didn’t tolerate these damn doctors who think only their time is valuable…I just said ok and left. I didn’t figure it would do any good to argue with him because he is obviously not as educated as I thought he should be. I would never send anyone to see him!!! However I have decided to check with the neurologist that found the problem to see what he says. His staff is not the problem, he is!!! He obviously doesn’t know  nor care that I have been managing my pain for over a year now. I don’t want to manage it; I want to get rid of it. The surgery was supposed to do that. Well, I’m sure you are tired of reading my bitching so I’ll stop.” Love ya, Sheri

Dr. Ron is the only Master Certified Dental Coach (MCC) on the planet. He has blended 20 years of clinical dental practice with executive roles in financial planning and investment management along his graduate business training to provide his clients with the tools, support, and accountability to accomplish more. About Dr. Ron, "I count you as one of life’s best finds", says Dr. Gary Imm of Reisterstown, Maryland. He has authored many articles; manuals; ThinBooks ^tm; TeleClasses and if you visit http://www.drarndt.com you can receive one of his FREE reports, "9 Painful Mistakes Dentists Make in the Hiring Process"

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One Response to “Another example of the “Ugly 3 P’s”–Poor Practice Positioning”

1. Adrian Says:
   April 23rd, 2007 at 6:10 pm

   Dear Ron,
   Perhaps he is the only Orthopod in town and makes gobs of money. I am curious as to his age. I understand some of thye younger MDs are coming out of residencies with an attitude like this. You know of my experience with the Kidney specialist. Very similar. What I did was complain to my nice referring doctor, called the head person at the clinic and complained. This should not be left unattended.
   A letter without venom simply stating the facts and asking it this doctor would put up with similar treatment from his physcian.
   Adrian

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