VMDiva

Recent news out of Australia slammed physicians for instituting late fees for patients who show up more than 10 minutes late to their appointments. Many argue these physicians are implementing a double standard given how far doctors log behind during their appointments. Perhaps this is a double standard but I guarantee one argument you’ll hear from these physicians is the patient’s tardiness contributes to the physician’s tardiness.

I have toyed with the idea of implementing late fees for chronically tardy clients (and we all have them, usually know them by name, and plan accordingly). My practice runs on a busy 15-minute appointment schedule. A client’s 10-minute tardiness can throw off the entire block of appointments. I know a late fee would go over like a lead balloon and so it remains an idea droning in my temples every time a client shows up late on a busy night. It’s my fantasy revenge.

The facts against a late fee remain: Most clients are on-time or early for their appointments. Legitimate excuses happen. You can’t teach common courtesy.

I have found some of the best ways of dealing with tardiness are as follows:

• If owner’s are more than 10 minutes late, have front desk staff politely inform them they will need to wait because the veterinarian is seeing her next appointment. It’s unfair to clients who show up on time to have to wait even longer for their appointment.
• Squash clients who decide to “sneak” that extra pet into their 15-minute appointment. If you simply cannot fit her in without making clients with appointments wait longer, do not do it. If you do have time to look at Little Lucy’s skin condition, use the line “Fortunately I have time to see her tonight without an appointment, but just make sure to have one down the road for when we are booked solid so we make sure to address your needs.” Spin the situation toward looking out for the owner’s best interest and you’ll avoid an awkward moment. You know the saying “If you give a mouse a cookie….” Set the tone for future appointments.
• Veterinarians must practice excellent time management given the frequently unpredictable and sometimes emergency laden appointment schedule. If a two-minute recheck and a sick exam arrive at the same time, see the recheck while the technicians triage the sick patient.
• Apologize and offer a reschedule. Veterinarians run behind, mostly, due to surprise illnesses mentioned at annual examinations, emergencies, and sick patients who require admission. Once we are behind it’s very difficult to catch up and we find ourselves rushing through appointments. Sometimes it’s better to reschedule than make a client sit an hour in the waiting room with a labrador who has chewed through the leash, peed on the wall, and jumped on the counter during the wait.

I’m a follower of the adage ‘do unto clients as…‘ and believe the best business practices start with that idea in mind. However, sometimes in business, the “Golden Rule” mentality doesn’t quite cut it. My wants and needs as a pet owner don’t match the wants and needs of all pet owners. When I read this article by Gladys Edmunds of USA Today, it begged for reposting! It highlights the importance of open communication and proper training with staff.

The diversity of my appointment schedule never ceases to amaze me. From the blissfully smooth to the guilt-inducing no-money client, I fluctuate between joy and stress throughout my day. One hair-pulling situation involves the disabled pet owner of two small fluffy dogs who routinely appoints her caregiver the task of bringing the aging beasts to me for exams. Following the visit, I then call the owner to discuss my findings, diagnosis, and plan. I’m struck with minor annoyance by having to repeat the entire appointment over the phone but can understand the owner’s absence.

The real trouble arose when I realized the owner and caregiver have a palpable distrust of each other. The caregiver revealed the owner doesn’t want her present at the exams. The owner called before an appointment to ask that I not tell the caregiver too much. The caregiver tells me the owner fails to give medications as prescribed and refuses to follow recommendations. The owner assured me she gave the medication and the dog is still no better. I’ve found myself in the middle of a owner/caregiver/dog triangle and needed to find the fastest way to the best outcome for my patients.

I’m tasked with placing the dogs’ health at the forefront while still adhering to the wishes of their owner. Now, I’m no fool and realize owners lie to me about giving medications, diets, and who knows what else on a regular basis. I rarely have foreknowledge of the impending lie. I tend to believe the caregiver’s story  because there is no rational reason for her to lie about the owner lying. The owner, with her impaired faculties, probably believes admitting to her lack of compliance will result in relinquishment of her pets. Despite this, I refused to cut some back-exam-room-deal with the caregiver to reach the treatment plan these dogs need. The owner has exclusive right to chose as long as she adheres to anti-cruelty statutes. So instead, I’ve employed my straight talker tactic.

I asked the owner pointed questions about completing courses of antibiotics and reasons she wished to pursue XYZ courses of action. We spoke candidly about quality of life and her ability to provide adequate medical care to her pets. I built trust and after we had a rapport, I reiterated the importance of all the things we discussed and planned. I cannot control whether she does them or not which is a lesson in patience and understanding only time teaches.

And I haven’t forgotten to document, document, document!

Anyone else out there find themselves in a similar situation? How did you handle it?

It’s internship season which always makes me wonder: Is life after an internship so radically different from spending your first year in private practice? I decided to forgo an internship, mostly for financial and marital reasons. Kudos to my husband who tolerated my indebtedness for four years of vet school. This year’s new veterinary graduates are faced with a decision that has educational, financial, and personal implications: Pursue an internship or full-time employment? About 40% of new veterinarians are entering internships upon graduation, leaving the remainder to *fingers-crossed* find strong mentorship at a private practice. New graduates have the base knowledge needed to develop a list of differential diagnosis but have yet to learn the the art of recognizing nuances of disease in practice, delivering bad news, and having confidence in their abilities.

In an academic setting, influences from specialists and the constant inundation of “ivory tower” medicine can easily persuade students to pursue additional training after graduation. Many of my classmates pursued an internship with knowledge they would never pursue a residency. But why? I argue many new graduates lack confidence in their knowledge and instead find themselves leaning on an internship as a crutch, that stepping stone between student and independent veterinarian. It’s not wrong to feel insecure but it warrants recognition for what it is. I’ve heard many reasons for pursuing an internship from: inexperienced, not ready, want more emergency training, not sure about specialization. Most of these reasons boil down to fear.

I felt fear and, admittedly nausea, on my first day of work as a veterinarian in private practice. I don’t regret my decision to forgo an internship. Within months I felt at home, climbed the steep learning curve, and blossomed into the veterinarian I am today. Interns earn a pittance, work double the hours of a private practitioner, and defer loan payments for one more year all the while accruing interest. I challenge new graduates to honestly explore the reason for pursuit of an internship because that path is wrought with challenges.  If the pursuit is for more education and career advancement – go for it! If it is fear of primary case responsibility and decision making – take the brave step, find a mentor in private practice, and jump!