Are you the obstacle to care?

As healthcare professionals and preventive specialists, we would never do anything to put up roadblocks to care; or would we? Have you ever heard someone in a morning huddle say:

• “I saw Joyce this weekend and her Dad is sick. She is going to want to postpone treatment.” 
• “The last time Bill was in, he was really grumpy, so don’t talk to him too much about his crowns.”
• “I don’t think April really values dental care, you know her mother lost all her teeth at a young age.”

Sometimes we inadvertently spend more time talking about the Obstacles than we do about the Benefits.

Try this for the next two weeks:

STOP: Allowing anyone on the team to discuss potential obstacles during the morning huddle. We truly do not know personal situations, regardless of the town “knowledge.”

START: Talking about the benefits of getting the treatment now. Use this phrase “Joyce has outstanding treatment in the upper right. If I were Joyce, I would take care of that now because ________________.” List the benefits.

CONTINUE: Reviewing charts and being aware of patient needs prior to the morning huddle.

Remember, some patients will say yes, some will say no, and some will say maybe. It is not up to us to decide for them. Our job is to simply present the best options and help them make the best decision.

Knowing that your financial coordinator has options that can help 9 out of 10 patients gives you solid ground to be the best clinicians you can be.