> Christine M. Beville, M.D. wrote : > > > >My partner and I typically use handouts as a means of rounding out our > patients' knowledge on a relevant topic. We worry sometimes that even these > simplistic handouts are sometimes too complex for our routine patients, > though. So, we often extend our visits with them in an attempt to better > explain things and to give background. After meeting last night with the > financial gurus, I am becoming concerned that our efforts to take so much > educational time with patients *must* be curtailed, else my partner and I > will end up out on the street plying for new jobs. > > > >Do you (or others) have any of the answers? I know I sure don't. :\ One suggestion I have is that for those families who can afford to buy books, select a pediatric book that best falls in line with your practices beliefs and recommend that the family buy the book. For those families that can not afford to pay full price for a book, offer a discount and potentially give it to them for free (if need be). Even if you gave each and every family in your practice the book for free (which you could probably get at group/bulk rates), you would still be saving a lot of money when compared to the cost of your time. The only thing to keep in mind, you are never going to accommodate all of your families needs. Someone is always going to want more. You could consider adding a comment on each handout that recommends a set of books, recommended internet sites that the parents could go read. Kristin