Home Forums Discussions Problems DEEP THOUGHHTS by Walter Handy

Part of this argument is based on whether there is a surplus or a deficit of physicians in the area.

If there is a surplus, the patients bounce around and doctor shop. If there is a deficit, they stick and the doctor can be more selective, firing patients who are not nice.

I work in an underserved area. I know I spend more time with patients and parents than most of the other physicians in the area.

When we have a patient ask for medical records, sometimes I am sad because I thought we had a good working relationship. Sometimes I am glad because the demanding ones are more likely to leave.

I do have one consolation, I know they will not get the same level of service from the other offices they get from ours. Call it egotistical. I know we are more friendly, flexible, and spend more time with patients. If I am wrong, at least I am happily deluded, but I am comfortable that I am not.

I rarely take a patient back who has left. Occasionally for the few insurances I do not take, but that is not common.

We rarely fire patients. We probably should fire more than we do. Many of our parents are rude and I think this is their basic personality. Most of them soften up over time but some don't.

Again, we are in a shortage area, so while they can find another doc, they will have to travel a good distance for inferior care. Ultimately there are more patients out there to replace them so we are not hurting for patients. Now only if they were not predominately medicaid.....