SPOTLIGHT -
November 6th 2023
Your weekly dose of wisdom from the Physicians Practice experts.
June 28th 2023
Because patients aren’t always at their best when they arrive at the doctor’s office.
January 21st 2022
Tips on what to do when you must part ways with a difficult patient.
June 29th 2018
When patient discharges are necessary, here are some considerations on how to release patients with compassion and care.
July 31st 2017
All patients bleed red and will likely pay in green, but physicians have to make sure to watch out for themselves.
8 Ways to Deal with Difficult Patients
Whether your patient is angry or manipulative, there are certain ways to deal with them. Here are eight strategies to employ.
10 Tips on Dealing with Problem Patients at Your Practice
Every doctor wants to see the best in their patients, but the truth is some will cause you trouble. Here are tips to deal with problem patients.
The Why and How of Dismissing a Patient
Enough is enough, you are ready to dismiss a patient. What are the right reasons to do so and what actions can you take?
When a Patient Gets On Your Nerves
Should you apologize for becoming frustrated with a patient? The Civility CEO weighs in on this and more.
The Problems with Direct-to-Consumer Pharma Advertising
While there may be a benefit to pharmaceutical companies advertising to consumers directly, this doctor sees too many problems with it.
Discharging Problem Patients the Right Way
Discharging a patient from your practice can be a difficult decision. However, if done the right way, your practice will be better for it.
Dealing with the Aggressive Patient
What should you do when a patient becomes difficult during an office visit? Trust your instincts on the safety of patients and staff, and have a plan.
A Physician's Perspective: Parents Who Refuse to Vaccinate
We accept patients whose parents refuse to vaccinate them into our practice, but it's not an easy road, and it's not an easy decision.
Dealing with Mistrustful Patients
This physician wonders why her patients so often refuse low-risk, high-benefit treatments because the media or family friends say they are dangerous.
Dismissing a Patient for Seeing Two Physicians
Some patients are choosing to drive long distances to continue seeing a trusted physician who has moved. But is it OK to retain a "back up" physician, just in case?
Treating Chronic Pain Patients Is Rarely Easy
Despite rising rates of prescription drug abuse, there is no real consensus in the physician community on treatment protocols. Physicians often follow their own heart.
Ending the Physician Relationship with Pediatric Patients
Pediatrics is unique in that physicians have to push patients out of the nest so they can fly on their own. Here's how one doctor does it.
Ten Free Tools that Will Help You Better Manage Your Medical Practice
From a sample patient dismissal letter to an RVU calculator; these 10 resources will help your practice operate in a more efficient and compliant manner.
Terminating the Physician-Patient Relationship
The physician-patient relationship can be terminated for any non-discriminatory reason with proper notice. It is best to do so as cordially as possible.
How to Mitigate Opioid Prescribing Risks at Your Medical Practice
Physicians without proper opioid prescribing policies may unknowingly help patients engage in illegal activities, and they could face liability issues.
Four Considerations Before Dismissing a Patient from Your Practice
Dismissing a patient from your medical practice without taking the proper precautions can raise ethical and legal problems.
Ethics on Ending the Patient-Physician Relationship
Need to “fire” a patient for non-payment or disruptive behavior? There are ethical principles to consider.
Patient No-Show Policy
This written patient no-show policy has helped one Massachusetts practice reduce its rate of missed and late appointments.
How Practices Should Deal With Late Patients
When patient lateness is a problem, there is a solution. Here's what the experts say about keeping appointments on time at your medical practice.
Vaccinations for Children a Must at My Medical Practice
Here is why my pediatric practice requires 100 percent vaccination for patients and does not accept alternative schedules from parents.
When a Patient Threatens to Sue You for Malpractice
What’s the best course of action when a patient threatens to sue you for malpractice?
Would You Ever Refuse to Treat An Unvaccinated Child?
How does your practice handle it when a parent refuses to vaccinate his child in accordance with recommended medical guidelines?
Patient Dismissal for Failure to Pay
Would you dismiss a patient who continually fails to pay despite your attempts to work out a suitable payment plan?
Demanding Patients Try Physicians' Patience
I appreciate the business my medical practice receives, but my staff and I also need to attend to our personal lives as well and we can't sacrifice that.
No Special Privileges for Patients at My Medical Practice
I understand that to each individual patient there is no one more important, no one more urgent. But I am one physician and can only see one person at a time.
Abusive Patient Behavior: Physicians Have 'Rights' Too
Physicians should establish their own Bill of Rights, providing patients with a clear idea of what conduct will not be tolerated and may lead to termination.
The Doctor-Patient Relationship Isn't Always Smooth
I know I can't help every patient, but I try. But sometimes, some patients push me to the brink of frustration when they won't let me help.
Poll of the Week – What Patient Dismissal Dilemmas Do You face?
Physicians avoid dismissing patients for various reasons. What’s your main reason?
Four Ways to Salvage the Physician-Patient Relationship
Before you decide to terminate a difficult patient - give him the benefit of the doubt and try these techniques to mend the breac
Patient Dismissal: The When, Why, and How
Got a patient who's abusing your staff, ignoring your advice, failing to pay his bill? When you realize it just isn't going to work, it's usually best to let the patient go. Here's how to do it correctly.