The following story is true.
It is in no way exaggerated.
I had some referral pads made up recently. I personally like referral pads. I use them in my own office and a good one can influence where I send my patients for referrals, tests, and studies. For me, a good pad fits easily on a corner of my desk, has just the tests that I want in check box format, room for the patients name and my name, and how I want the results reported. Several of the labs and imaging centers that I use have referral pads that fit these criteria and I admit that I send more than a fair share of patients to these centers, rather than other ones, because of the pad. Of course, these centers do quality work as well.
Because of my own use for referral pads, I had some made for Richard A Schoor MD PC. The pads met all my criteria and were professionally designed and printed. They costs me ~$1000, total. My plan was, and still is, to distribute them to referring docs and potential referring docs via a practice rep, ie Janet.
Yesterday, I had some slow time and I learned of a new doctor that recently started practicing in an office next door to mine. She is an OB and joined a doctor that I have excellent relations with and view as a friend. So I stopped by myself to see them both. Now I no longer typically do this because one, I'm too busy,and two, I don't like being mistaken for a Pharma rep. But on this day, why the hell not!
I went to the reception desk, said hello I'm Dr Schoor, is the new doc here, or something to that effect. The staff was very friendly and replied that the new doc was not there but that she would be in the next day.
So I left my calling card and then asked the receptionist if she had any use for a referral pad, as I slowly extended my arm with pad in hand.
The receptionist immediately recoiled. In one motion she rolled her chair back 2-3 inches, put both hands behind her back, turned her face to the left, and said "no we don't use those."
It was like I had handed her a plate of feces. Incredible really.
I had to look back at the pad to make sure nothing was on them, like urine, blood, etc. Of course, the pad was pristine, all white and blue.
I wonder what I did wrong here. . .
It is in no way exaggerated.
I had some referral pads made up recently. I personally like referral pads. I use them in my own office and a good one can influence where I send my patients for referrals, tests, and studies. For me, a good pad fits easily on a corner of my desk, has just the tests that I want in check box format, room for the patients name and my name, and how I want the results reported. Several of the labs and imaging centers that I use have referral pads that fit these criteria and I admit that I send more than a fair share of patients to these centers, rather than other ones, because of the pad. Of course, these centers do quality work as well.
Because of my own use for referral pads, I had some made for Richard A Schoor MD PC. The pads met all my criteria and were professionally designed and printed. They costs me ~$1000, total. My plan was, and still is, to distribute them to referring docs and potential referring docs via a practice rep, ie Janet.
Yesterday, I had some slow time and I learned of a new doctor that recently started practicing in an office next door to mine. She is an OB and joined a doctor that I have excellent relations with and view as a friend. So I stopped by myself to see them both. Now I no longer typically do this because one, I'm too busy,and two, I don't like being mistaken for a Pharma rep. But on this day, why the hell not!
I went to the reception desk, said hello I'm Dr Schoor, is the new doc here, or something to that effect. The staff was very friendly and replied that the new doc was not there but that she would be in the next day.
So I left my calling card and then asked the receptionist if she had any use for a referral pad, as I slowly extended my arm with pad in hand.
The receptionist immediately recoiled. In one motion she rolled her chair back 2-3 inches, put both hands behind her back, turned her face to the left, and said "no we don't use those."
It was like I had handed her a plate of feces. Incredible really.
I had to look back at the pad to make sure nothing was on them, like urine, blood, etc. Of course, the pad was pristine, all white and blue.
I wonder what I did wrong here. . .
6 comments:
Incredible!
I still make office calls, despite how busy I am. I enjoy meeting the PCPs who refer to me and I enjoy learning about how they run their practice (and believe me, there is a HUGE disparity among practices). I do not bring ANYTHING with me in-hand, including my cards. If they want some, then I will say "I'll see if I have any in my car".
I don't want to be mistaken as someone pushing his wares, but somoene who just want to get to know his referring source.
It's similar to dating. You don't want to seem to eager. Once they think they've "got you", then you are not so "cool" anymore. Make them WANT you and play hard-to-get, sort of.
Yes, even as a guy, I read "The Rules" by Ellen Fein". Must know the games some women play...
My method works pretty well; I did it twice today. Your mileage may vary.
I have read your Blog with avid interest, as a new physician. I am currently in the process of beginning my own practice with another friend. We are beginning with a Loan program by the local hospital and some lines of credit. I'm glad to know that there are MD's with similar desires as we have in being our own boss and in charge of our own destiny.
A quick question...I understand that you use VoIP, do you find that reliable..any outages etc?
Thanks and good luck and GREAT BLOG!!
Thanks for the comment & good luck. VOIP is great and reliable. VONAGE was not reliable enough after things got busy.
I now use Optimum Voice, and this works well.
That's bizarre! Also rude. But...i also wonder what negative experience she had with them?
I would've politely and in an upbeat manner asked why they don't use them. Maybe something like "Oh..that's interesting. What do you use for referrals? Maybe I'd prefer that method."
Dear IU,
I have learned that you need to be 50% urologist and 50% salesman to do well in practice. Going door-to-door is very important and builds a new practice. Your referral pad, though, sounds a little "tacky". Cards are good but if they know your name by heart - you win!
MG
Wow...that sucks.
I personally hate going to visit the primaries, I feel so crappy. But after I do it, I feel great. But getting over that hump is really hard.
Things are slow this summe, but I still haven't gone out and seen some people that I should have.
I haven't printed referral pads, and don't plan too. I have a hard enough time giving them cards and asking hem to speak with me during their busy schedule (and I mean busy!-some are seeing 40-50 a day!!!)
If I had a fraction of those referrals I would be doing great.
Solo is awesome. I love it. More stress, but it is stress that I create.
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