Why don’t you get RESULTS?
Pretend for a moment that you are a personal trainer. You can only help the easy clients that come to you for help; you know, those that just need to drop a few pounds to get back in shape. You don’t believe you can help the more difficult cases because the client will not stay long enough to achieve results!
It isn’t as far-fetched as it may seem at first blush. To lose 50 or 100 pounds is the exact same process as losing 15, it’s just that the process is longer. And if a governing body, like insurance, refuses to pay for losing anything more than 15 pounds, pretty soon you see the world in terms of people needing short-term weight loss only.
Many DCs find themselves in this never ending, hamster-on-a-wheel scenario. It’s a prison without bars. Society tells you what to do and who to do it on. Even if say you’re okay with such an arrangement, our spouses and loved ones see the subtle (and not so subtle) changes in our personality and emotions.
Not being able to help people who we would like to help, like kids, difficult cases, and wellness patients, creates frustration in the doctor and lowers the overall morale of the office. Sometimes we develop resentment or indifference for the very people we serve. The whole office loses its purpose and meaning and is left with a hollow shell of schlepping over adult pain relief for a few forced visits.
Be honest with yourself and start telling patients your truth. Let them know that their health is not going to be restored in only a few visits.
A magical moment between the doctor and the patient occurs when the patient becomes willing to commit to the process. There is a certain energy that is created in this relationship as two people join in a shared interest and are both giving their best.
Getting results is as miraculous as electricity or frozen water. As long as you adhere to the principles you will produce results. Help your patients discover about health, not only for themselves but for their families as well. The world will become a better place because of it.