I used to have all I could do with keeping up with forcing patients to do things I absolutely felt were absolutely necessary. We had a paper tickler file and tried to keep up with things but years could go by without patients following through with recommendations. My ace in the hole was always that I would refuse prescription renewals without seeing the patient and I could catch these things when they came in for their forced appointment. Now I can easily see how many of the things I order that go ignored by patients. I have sent some letters reminding them and encouraging them and threatening them with death but where does personal responsibility step in. I think this is our issue....we physicians and it is up to us. Do I have to fire the patient? Do I just send a strong letter telling them that I'm not responsible for the outcome when they don't follow through? Does it have to be certified? Boundaries....where are they?
Last edited by StLawrence; 06/03/2010 11:30 AM.
