Bert,
I want to make sure that you realize I don't force any drug rep to do anything, however if a drug rep chooses to bring a lunch to the office, they have been educated by our office staff this will be the only opportunity to get any face to face time with me. I have found that any other encounter ties up not only my time, but my nurses. It then comes down to increasing my overhead expenditures because of lost efficiency if I do it any other way because of how I have structured my office. My nurse does everything for me such as scheduling appts/rooming patients/scheduling xrays/handling phone calls/secure messaging etc. My patients are my bread and butter, and allow me to keep the doors open. Drug reps do not. However they offer an opportunity to educate and provide a service. I admire your ability to be more accommodating, but my stance may seem harsh, but in reality it really works for me.
I can clear my brain for 10 minutes or so and usually just BS with the really good reps (and most are) over lunch and just relax, and most of the time spend about 10 seconds on detailing--however I think this service of providing lunches is soon to dissipate, so I do feel honored when a rep brings me lunch and I always make a point to say thank you.
