Patient Appreciation Days, by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Sunday, March 22nd 2009

Warm hellos to everyone,

Module I in Montreal was amazing - the French cafes, the bistros,
Oh, la, la!
But.....We have work to do....
Let's talk about appreciation for a bit.

I love long walks, preferably by water - and I have to admit that I
am a bit of a beach bum!
Something as ordinary as a good walk in the sun can change your
whole perspective on life!And it made me think of some of the "ordinary"
things, that in the fervor of living our life, we often take for granted
in our offices. 
Take the well-known "Patient Appreciation Day" for example!
What I find amazing is that there are coaches out there who still
teach that you should actually have an official and tiresome
"Patient Appreciation Day." ....Must be for all those DCs who simply
do not appreciate their patients - couldn't be any of you I hope!

So we set aside a special day to appreciate them. Or do we?
Is it actually just an elaborate plan to get more new ones? You see,
the focus of this day is not your old and trusted patients. No.

The focus is actually getting your patients to bring in new ones.
Nothing to do with appreciation at all!  And your patients totally
understand this. It is only you that are left thinking that you are
doing something which has some higher purpose. Right!

Listen....even your staff get this! And I'll bet they are really excited
about spending time away from their families while you are groveling
for new ones! And of course you conveniently hide behind the fact that
your mission is to wipe out all subluxations on the planet. And you
just can't understand why your staff, whose wage you are paying is on
par with McDonalds, just can't get enthused.

Yes, this day is actually all about appreciating greed and paying your
bills, nothing more.
And you are really hoping that this ploy will work so that you get all
these new ones because you are needy!  Atta Boy!

Ok....I know I am pushing your buttons, but you'll have to admit that
although I am making you squirm and feel uncomfortable, your Innate
is nevertheless whispering in your ear that I am right!

Let's look at this from a different perspective for a moment:
Whatever happened to truly appreciating your existing patients?
To truly making them feel special in your office. Thanking them for their
respect and love for you? Recognizing their loyalty to you? Rewarding
their commitment to you? Hmmmmm.....
How many of you have ever taken the time to hold the hand of an elderly
patient in your hands. The hands of an older lady, for example, hold the
secret to her life - a life she lived. Look into her eyes as you gently caress
her hand.  There is a wealth of knowledge there just waiting to be discovered. 
Her eyes will tell you of a beauty which was once sought after by many.
You'll discover times of joy, times of laughter, times of tears, times of pain,
times of love, and times of great mischief.

I often did this at the initial consultation - much to the delight of my older
patients. I would simply hold hands with all the older ladies as I did
my consultation. And no one minded a bit. It was a well-known fact that all the
old ladies in my office over the age of 75 were my "girlfriends."
My staff and I had fun with this.
And don't be afraid to do this with children - gaze in their eyes - they are the
windows of their soul. Hold a child close to you, tickle them, play with them,
appreciate their innocence and their wonder. Please make certain that it is
Ok with mom first.

You can also appreciate your other patients in that same manner -
but sometimes you might be wise to ask permission to give some a hug.
And it is totally Ok to do so.

Let me ask you this?
When you truly appreciate and love your patients, do you really need a
Patient Appreciation Day to bring in the new ones?

Here's the thing: Everyday should be a patient appreciation day in your office!!!
When you practice in this manner, you do not need a Patient Appreciation Day!
You'll be too damn busy examining and checking all the referrals you receive
on a daily basis. So, lighten up. Be the doctor your innate is telling you to be!

Now, go out there and appreciate someone!

Warmest wishes,

Dr.Ogi Ressel