Looking at "the big picture", I see drug reps as just another group of people with a job to do. A job that is sometimes congruent with our goals (providing samples and education) and sometimes not (getting a message across; a message telling us to prescribe a drug we might not otherwise use). We deal with different groups of people like that all day, and the key to minimizing the anger and frustration is to feel in control of the situation and empowered rather than "put upon" and manipulated. The good news is that is easier with reps because you can completely define the rules (as opposed to with insurance company rules for payment, auths or referrals, or drug pre-auths, etc).
Decide on a policy that makes you comfortable, and put up a sign or just announce it to your front desk staff and tell them to stick with it. Only see reps by appointment; or just one day a week; or only for lunches. Or you sign for samples any day but without any discussion; your staff brings the computer back to you to sign. Anything is fine, just decide what you want and go with it. You will likely be surprised; the reps probably won't complain about even the most restrictive policy. Tired of that sinking feeling when you see the rep at the desk, trying to get in?; well, maybe you only see patients by appointment, but it doesn't piss you off to see someone at the desk making an appointment; you can say "hi" and move on. It can be just the same with reps, if you want it to be.
Keep in mind one problem. Reps depend on our sense of politeness and good manners. We were raised to be polite; if someone is friendly, and especially if they bring gifts (which might be samples, pens, or a lunch) then we are obliged to be nice to them, and return the favor, at least by listening for a couple of minutes. It is not just the reps who use this; the whole multi-billion dollar big pharma industry of physician-marketing is based on this premise. Nearly every physician says "I never prescribe based on a rep or an ad"; it is always someone else. In fact, the industry stats say the practice is extremely effective. Fortunately, we also have extensive training in politely shortening an interaction, and keeping it "on task"; we do it all day with patients. It is often necessary to do the same with reps. It is very rarely necessary to do so without remaining polite.
