Has your dentist, eye doctor, or other medical provider become a pushy retailer?

[Knowsstuff]

@deb922

@Knowsstuff i know you are medical professional and I am aware that you stand up for others in the medical profession.

I do not say this lightly. There are crooked doctors, dentists and people who prey on people’s vulnerability and their lack of knowledge about their options.

It happens, it’s always happened. The medical profession is not immune to these problems, just like other industries have their bad apples. And those not into it for the right reasons.

I also believe that these things are not policed very often because it is an opinion. That if it’s not outright fraud, it’s very hard for these professionals to be brought to task.

So we as consumers have to decide what is within what we think is the correct thing to do.

Please read what I wrote. I am agreeing with you all. Just also presenting another side. When I do a second or 5th opinion I know who the good /bad guys are per se.

Doctors like companies make relationships. Nothing wrong with the doctor saying this is who I like to use but if you have someone else you would like to go to. “… They should never say” you have to go to this person "…

But if that person works in their office then of course they want you to use them. Part of their business model. You can always say no.

I am a sports Podiatrist and do mostly sports injury and surgery. We brought in a sports dietitian years ago but she moved. . This is a normal great relationship. She was expecting referrals to her from my office and vice versa . So I let people know she’s there. Many have already used her for their kids. (my area is like sports mecca). But wanna know who used her more? The mothers of the kids wanting to be put on diets as they work out . She made a killing with that… Lol.

We were looking for a hand/shoulder surgeon. Since I see lots of upper body injuries due to gymnastics, dance, football etc this would make sense. I do the lower body they would do the upper body per se. If they are in my office of course I would suggest them. I wouldn’t rent to them if they were not excellent. My reputation is on the line also. There are also medical /legal issues also. Did you know if I recommend someone and they screw up I can be held liable for the referral?

When I refer to an ortho for someone’s knee problem I do suggest the guy that did my knee… Plus he is world reknown. Takes weeks /months to get into but I can usually get someone in the next day or close. Good luck doing that on your own… Lol…

I also go through the same experiences. I am a consumer also and don’t trust anyone anymore… Lol… So when the Dentist suggest whiter etc I just say no. Old fillings… Great… Will wait till they fall out… Etc.

I am being pushed to buy a great machine called Swift for wart treatment. There is a monthly rental fee. But if I do just 2 patients a month according to the company I can break even. If I do 10… Then I can make X amount a month and X amount a year. Plus those patients will refer others. Like refers like. So this is how the companies push to us. There is always a financial side and there should be. But the product has to work. I have been on some of the first technologies in the United States so I truly get it. But the product has to work. It has to have a clear advantage since their is always a cost. I used to be a residency director and told the resident surgeons we are not in the business to make the manufactures rich. There has to be an advantage to /for the patient.

So, when I get pitched… They have to drop off the machine to my office for 3-5 months without costs. I need to see if it actually works. If they don’t, I don’t consider it. If they do and it works and there’s a clear advantage to what I am doing now. Then I consider buying it and use those funds in that 3-5. Months to buy it. That is a win - win to me.