Silkin Management Group clients are primarily health care practitioners in the dental, veterinary and optometric fields. Most doctors are not trained in practice or business management during their years of professional schooling. But once they own their own practice they quickly come to realize that a good part of what they have to handle on a day to day basis is the managing of the people and systems involved in making a profitable practice. That’s where Silkin Management Group comes in. We provide the missing education having to do with the business side of the office.
One matter that Silkin consultants often get asked by their clients is what to do with non-compliant patients – i.e. patients who frequently miss appointments and thereby cause problems in the schedule. Very few patients fit into this category as most patients keep their agreements and only on rare occasions cancel or don’t show.
But what about that one in a hundred patients who is truly a pain in the rear-end? How do you diplomatically go about getting rid of them? Below is an example letter for a dental practice that can be used to “fire” a patient. It can easily be adapted for other health care professions.
Dear Ms. Jones,
You have had a difficulty keeping your appointments with my office and have missed a number of appointments since you began treatment.
I have not been able to have a continuity of treatment for you. Therefore I feel it is in your best interest to seek treatment elsewhere. I will be available to treat any emergencies for the next 30 days.
You do need the treatment begun to prevent further development of oral infections. If you do not seek dental care, your existing oral infections may worsen and additional oral infections may develop.
By written request, copies of your dental records and x-rays will be available to you or to another dental office.
Sincerely,
Lawrence Smith, D.D.S
Again, this letter can be adapted to most any health care office without too much difficulty and is an easy way to part company with a problem patient.
For more information about how Silkin Management Group can help you with the management of your practice, contact us at 800-695-0257 or visit our website at www.silkinmanagementgroup.com
Eric Korb
Silkin Management Group Consultant