Hospitality. ...no thanks

In May my friend told me..."my Drs changed a lot. Today I phoned him for an appointment and he answered with a detailed mssg about services and payment for same...all to be done in advance. I have been with him for 10yrs and this seemed jarring."  I think some of my patients are feeling the same. But there is a reason for this change. 

The whole of April I had been very understanding taking patient calls advising them and sending prescription on phone;on occasion even going in search of a postoffice to mail prescription.  For all my troubles and understanding..a shocking number of patients thought they didn't need to pay. A lot of them did not even qualify my reminders with a reply. And those who did felt consultation fee was not warranted for few minutes conversation. 

I dont buy all these arguments. My clinic is open and I am willing to do consultation there. I am even available for emergency consultation at my hospital. But it is patients who choose to prefer teleconsultation. It requires more effort on my part...in terms of concentration and data use to download the reams of test reports that patients forward. Plus I have bills to pay and salaries of 3 employees. 

I decided I am done with the haggling. If any patient wants my advice they must pay me in advance. I am done with pursuing them for fee and then haggling over the amount. Through this I have been giving concessions to those stating economic constraints...but there will be no discount on account of 'i dont think so and i am patient so you are my servant ' philosophy. 

It was notable that illiterate folks with poor economic status paid up immediately after an honest communication about their issues. It was the highly educated iit iim phd and richie rich class of folks who defaulted on payment and haggled on the amounts. Plus they still keep demanding facilities...now i am to download every payment app that they have...send prescription only through the app they have and do facetime through whatever apps they have....schedule consultation when  they are not working from home...list is endless.  

As Salman Rushdie commented...we folks focus too much on the wedding and neglect the marriage. 

So do our patients who focus too much on hospitality from the doctor and neglect treatment. 

I can only wish such folks 'All the Best' and hope that they go to another Psychiatrist.

Its such a joy to help someone in need. My patients always appreciate my help and we dont talk much about money ever. But teleconsultation has shown me that the talk about money can turn ugly. I am not enjoying it.