Jealousy, by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Tuesday, June 2nd 2009

Warm hellos to everyone,

A bit of a tough subject but one which needs to be addressed.
I don't know how many doctors I have talked with that mentioned stories
to me about their colleagues, practicing in the same town, who view each
other with suspicion, jealousy, dislike, and other.
Get real will you?

Here is what tends to happen;
A chiropractor moves into town and begins to be noticed everywhere.
He/she is in the newspaper, at the mall, at the fitness centre, people see
his flyers, his signs, his articles, his website, etc. and the result is that he is
beginning to fly....And inadvertently begins to disturb the status quo in town.
The other doctors begin to take notice. Here is what they feel: "I'm good.
But he's busier - he's seeing more patients. Why, just last week, two of my
families transferred their care to his office. He must be doing something fattening,
immoral, or illegal. I'll put a stop to it." Never would it dawn on that practitioner
that perhaps the new doctor is really good - maybe even better! Do you remember
that fire when you first started practice?

...And so the hassles begin. Complaints to the state board are born, innuendos
are launched and the new DC must now defend himself - and wonders why.
The biggest problem, I see, is one of jealousy. You need to get this: we are all
in competition with each other. When you see a patient, the other guy has lost
a potential patient - like it or not, that is the reality.

The worst scenario is when patients transfer from an established doctor to one
who just started practice. This can be tough. As much as we don't like to admit this,
there are lots of emotions at play. Guilt, remorse, jealousy are just a few. Oh,
sure...we say that we are not bothered because at least the patient is continuing
with Chiropractic. It's a lie. We are very bothered! ...And to the point that the new
doctor begins to be avoided and shunned by his peers. On the surface we are
thrilled with his success, but beneath the facade, we are seething.

This is an all too common scenario - as a profession, we tend to shoot
ourselves in the foot.

I guess we don't have enough problems with those outside the profession - we
circle the wagons and shoot inside.

I teach my PEP doctors that if they are going to launch a campaign in town,
that they inform all other DCs of what is going to take place. I am not suggesting
asking for permission. No. I am suggesting to let the other DCs in town in on
what you are planning - just good business sense.

If another doctor is not in agreement, please hear his side of the story - that
way he has been heard and a potential unpleasant situation has been diffused.
You can still go ahead with your plans, but now you know who your opposition is.
Smart.

In the event, however, that you are doing your own "thing" and another DC ruffles
your feathers and launches a complaint. Here is what I suggest.
Contact the other fellow and hear his side of the story - it may be legitimate.
You may have been a shmuck. In the event that you are not, however, and the
complaint is frivolous and designed just to harass you, there are a number of
options open to you;

1. You are welcome to launch a counter-complaint unless he withdraw his - works well.
2. Have you attorney contact him ASAP with the intent to sue.
3. Here is my favourite: drop in to see this fellow in person and tell him what you are planning.

Does he really understand the legal nightmare he is creating for himself? Probably not.
At least you will agree to disagree.

Once you show your "teeth" and people realize that you stand by your word, that
will end your complaints and overt difficulties.

This is a very unfortunate THOT, but one I really feel should be aired.

Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel