02/20/2009    

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) PART 3

RE: Reference Checking Plus (Practice Management Tip of the Day)

From: Jon Purdy, DPM

 

I completely disagree with the statement that checking references on  a potential employee is not worth the time. We have found on many occasions that a reference will reveal a red flag or give negative statements concerning the candidate.

 

We seldom have companies call us regarding a reference check on a former employee. We have found that candidates give references out of obligation and erroneously assume they will not be checked. Although most may not check them, they are mistaken to assume we will not.  There are cases where a person has assumed a positive relationship with a reference, or the relationship has fallen apart between the time they put them down and the time we call.

 

Valuable information is often learned listening to another person's point of view regarding a candidate. It costs on average $4,000 to turn over an employee and much more in the case of a management position. Turnover is often an emotionally draining experience, and training a new hire takes significant office resources and time. One can never get enough information prior to hiring an employee.

 

Jonathan B. Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA, podiatrist@mindspring.com

Other messages in this thread:

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03/29/2009    

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) PART 3

RE: PM News Marks Issue #3,500 & 15th Anniversary [Marlene Reid, DPM]

From: Hal Ornstein, DPM

I have had the great pleasure of working with Barry Block since my national student leadership days in the mid 80’s. To watch the momentum of his giving to our profession and his passion to share his heart and soul tirelessly with others serves as a personal beacon! When the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management established our most highly respected award last year, The Bernie Egerter Leadership Award, Barry was at the top of all our board’s list. It was a great day in my career when I was able to present this to him. My favorite part of Barry is his simple demeanor and love to be “common folk” even though he is one of our profession’s giants.

Barry deserves a huge MAZEL TOV as PM News hits 3,500 issues and fifteen years of connecting podiatrists internationally. And let’s not forget the support and dedication of David Kagan and Hermine Block who work side-by-side with him.

Hal Ornstein, DPM, Howell, NJ

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03/16/2009    

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) PART 3

RE: Indigent Medical Care Program (Will Alexander, DPM)

From: Sam Bell, DPM

Contact your local Shriners (the guys with the red fez). You can find them in the phone book. They provide care, transportation, etc. for free.

Sam Bell, DPM, Schenectady, NY, dpmbell@aol.com

 

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03/13/2009    

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) PART 3

RE: Podiatry Must Speak With One Voice (Judith E. Rubin, DPM)

From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM

Editor’s note: Dr. Kass’s extended-length note can be read at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=25117&start=1

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02/09/2009    

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) PART 3

RE: EMRs and Privacy  (Lloyd S. Smith, DPM)

From: Elliot Udell, DPM

 

In reading Dr. Smith’s letter, can we infer that he has access to the medical data of two million people? Does this mean that a doctor can access the confidential medical records of any of those two million people without the expressed permission of any of those people? Can you access your next door neighbor’s private medical records even if the person is not your patient?  If so, this presents as a potentially dangerous invasion of privacy. Now, I am certain that Dr. Smith would never misuse another person’s private medical information but if you read the logs and newspaper articles about what some  physicians have been convicted of, you can see that there are many crazy people who happen to be doctors who could  misuse a person’s private medical data, especially if the nature of the condition was embarrassing. 

There are many embarrassing things in a person’s medical history that a patient seeing a podiatrist or dentist might not want known  and the data will have zero relevance to what they are presenting for.  For example, if a young patient of mine had undergone an abortion or gave birth to a child out-of-wedlock and wants to keep that aspect of her life behind her, what relevance would my knowing this data have on my treating her for a mycotic toe nail? She has the right to choose to make her sexual - medical history none of my business and my ability to access this data without her permission would be an invasion of her privacy. I am certain that the readers of PM News can think of many other similar examples. When considering the privacy of medical records, let us not forget that in addition to being doctors, we are also patients. 

 

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

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01/03/2009    

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) PART 3

RE: Here’s to 2009

From: Dennis Shavelson, DPM

2008, with all of its turmoil and unexpected happenings (mostly negative), has us uneasy about the future. PM News delivers important issues impacting the political, academic, and practical arenas of podiatry in an organized, professional, and digestible manner to a diverse and polarized group. It provides a comforting and safe place for us to unwind, debate ideas, and educate ourselves every day as colleagues.

I look forward to the next year with great positive anticipation because I believe that these hard times will force a wakeup call for us to unite upon our common ground and take podiatry to newer and greater heights. With the continued effort of leaders like Barry Block, we will succeed. Health, love, and prosperity to all PM News readers for 2009. The best is yet to come!

Dennis Shavelson, DPM, NYC, NY drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com