Know The HEALTH FACTS ... Because WEALTH THRU PERSONAL HEALTH is a COMMITMENT... NOT A CHOICE!
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In any transactions whether for health or wealth… we make sure that customers are satisfied not only of our goods but more so our service! We see surveys being done in stores or restaurants to make sure that the establishment conforms to the needs of the customers they target. It is basically not different with regard to doctors handling our patients. What matters is not mainly the credentials and the expertise of the physician … but more so the way the doctors handle and manage their patients from the time they are in the waiting room to the time they are seen in the clinic room.
As the dictum at the Mayo Clinic is… patients are there to seek comfort from their illness. As such we were trained to follow that dictum to always make our patient fell comfortable to face their sickness.
While in Manila attending a convention last weekend, I happened to read an interesting survey in February issue of Consumer Reports …that looked at this question of patients satisfaction on their doctors. Interestingly most were positive and were satisfied with their doctors but obviously there were complaints. The number one complaint was the time spent in the waiting room. The same is true here in our country especially with doctors following a “no appointment” scheme. With this… doctors can just come in anytime they prefer. And it is for the same reason that I always insist on my patients to avail of my” By Appointment” scheme because I believe this is the only way that both parties can be happy with less waiting time.
Other complaints from patients included:
- “Couldn’t schedule an appointment within a week“. This is where I am guilty of and actually the downside of the appointment scheme. The schedule just fills up fast so patients complain… Any recommendation for a win-win situation?
- Spent too little time with me
- Didn’t provide test results promptly
- Didn’t respond to my phone calls promptly
The survey is really an eye opener for us physicians. I may be guilty of one but pretty much I guess I have a passing mark.
How about you… Any experiences with your doctors you want to share?
Better Still….
Tell Your Doctors What You Think…
That Health Rules 
February 5, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Sometimes it is not the doctor but his secretary that pissed me off. She needs a seminar/lecture on how to handle and nice with the patients.
February 5, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I believe Doc that your practice with regard to scheduling patients with specific time is a a very good practice. However for Filipino patients, there is still have a lot of education to make to stick with their schedules and plan their activities well.
February 5, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Surprisingly max… patients learned. Majority usually shows up for teir appointment schedule because otherwise, their next appointment will be long. As a result one complaint I have is that it’s so hard for them to get an appointment because we book pts one month ahead. Meaning to get an appointment for March 1 to 15.. patients have to call on Feb 1 and usually by Feb 3 or 4 the schedule is full. So their next chance is to call Feb 16 for an appointment in March 16 to 31. But I do set aside a time for the newcomers or for emergency shcedules between 8 to 9:30 Am daily. Theres really no perfect setup but so far a lot of my colleagues are asking me how my appointment schedule is being set up and so far has tried it in their own clinics.
February 6, 2007 at 9:37 am
So far that i know, you are the only doctor who works very early in the morning plus very energetic at that despite so many patients to attend with.