MEDI CAL SPAS

Medspa Patients

DO NOT IGNORE BRIGHT BOLD RED FLAGS COMING FROM THE DOORWAY

A PATIENT INITIALLY SEEMS LIKE A DREAM

WHEN IS IT TIME TO FIRE A PATIENT? PERHAPS

A PATIENT INITIALLY SEEMS LIKE A DREAM.

Medspa Patients

2. Having post-procedure issues with the patient? • Body dysmorphic disorder issues, when a patient Know that, like any other relationship, you don’t sees issues that the rest of the public doesn’t have to be in a lifelong relationship with every • Receiving an unwanted treatment or procedure patient. purely to make a partner or spouse happy Perhaps your patient’s lifestyle situation has changed, • A constant attempt at negotiation on price, to a

Perhaps you feel bad for his or her lifestyle situation, like a rocky divorce or recent death in the family.

and they are no longer a prime candidate for your degree where the procedure or treatment is no longer office. Whether they can no longer afford your worth it for your office

Mara Shorr serves as the Vice

Perhaps you’re in a financial slump and, if you’re being completely honest,

regular, necessary follow-ups, or simply had a change town messed up his/her treatment

the additional revenue will help you pay the bills this month.

in attitude about treatment and care, there may come

President of Marketing and Business Development for The Best

For whatever reason, you’re considering taking on a patient and ignoring the bright,

3. Realize that the “break up” may cost you.

company helping aesthetic

If a client is truly unhappy with the outcome of a counseling. In the case of a patient who will simply be

practices and spas with the financial, operational

procedure or treatment, save yourself the time, effort more of a headache for you or your staff, we

By MARA SHORR, BS, CAC II-IV

and administrative health

IV Certified Aesthetic Consultant utilizing knowledge and experience to help clients achieve their potential. A national speaker

and headache and agree to a partial refund or office recommend you turn the patient away altogether. 1. Considering taking on a patient? Make sure you’ve not only had those conversations in First, make sure you’ve fully educated the patient person, but as office policy, sent the patient home with on the procedure they’re seeking. written instructions and guidance. Although many of Is it medically necessary? Will it actually offer a

the steps may be common sense to you, that’s not the

about who/what went wrong is going to eat into your Every prospective patient isn’t for you… brainpower (and time to treat other patients). It’s and that’s okay.

any work needing to be done before the procedure, medicine on a daily basis.

didn’t feel you were worth the dollars, but coming to a Go with what’s best in the long run; fair agreement on a refund is worth it. the short term fix just isn’t worth it for you

like weight loss or alterations in medication or

Ms. Shorr can be

proper post-procedure care, and possible downtime saying we use all the time: “What I said is not what

thebestmbs.com

amount of time you’ll spend going back and forth

never easy to learn a patient was so unhappy they

skincare routines? Does the patient understand the Our founder and managing partner, Jay Shorr, has a

marashorr@

credit for a correction, if possible. In the long run, the

cosmetic enhancement? Does the patient understand case with someone who doesn’t deal with the field of

and writer, contacted at

disorder, there may be a stronger mental issue in which you refer him or her to seek mental health

HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE SITUATION?

and cosmetic medical

It’s okay to let a patient know you’re not the best provider for them. In the case of body dysmorphic

Solutions, a Florida-based

She is a Level II, III and

a time when it’s time to part ways with a patient.

bold red flags that follow him or her in your doorway.

Medical Business

of their business.

services, have moved too far away to come in for • Tales of how EVERY other doctor or provider in

OR the patient. 4. Avoid the situation altogether: go with your gut.

or side effects? All of these items are key. Make sure you heard.” Having all of the information in writing to you get the sense that s/he is actually listening and examine later is beyond precious.

Get a bad feeling about a new patient before you start

comprehends what goes into his/her end of the deal.

treating him or her? Have things changed with a

While some patients believe their end is simply A problem with a patient could be avoided down the

previous patient? Situations may include, but

keeping (and paying for) the appointment, as road with simple communication ahead of time.

obviously aren’t limited to, the following:

providers you understand there’s so much more. 22

MEDI CAL SPAS • September 2014

www.medicalspasreview.com

MEDI CAL SPAS • September 2014