Neil H. Baum, MD, presented “Managing Inappropriate Patient Requests” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in March 2021.
How to cite: Baum, Neil H. “Managing Inappropriate Patient Requests” March 2021. Accessed Dec 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/managing-inappropriate-patient-requests/
Managing Inappropriate Patient Requests – Summary
Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, discusses how to manage inappropriate patient requests. He provides examples of common requests, reasons for saying ‘no,’ and how to maintain a positive doctor/patient relationship while doing so. Example scenarios include requests to add on extra days to a work exemption, inappropriate prescription medication, unnecessary procedures, requests for the medical records of an aging parent, and asking to remain in the office after an appointment has ended. Dr. Baum recommends proposing alternative solutions to the request and offering to reassess later if necessary. He advises doctors to gain their patients’ buy-in by involving them in the solution and asking them to agree to the plan. Additionally, reminding patients of a doctor’s ethical obligation against lying, violating HIPAA, or providing unsuitable care can help them understand the decision. It is important to document such requests in the patient’s file along with an explanation of the steps taken to address the reasons for the request.
For more commentary on practice management and telemedicine from Dr. Baum, visit his Improving Your Urology Practice page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil H. Baum, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a retired urologic surgeon. Additionally, Dr. Baum serves as the Medical Advisor to Vanguard Communications Group. Dr. Baum is the author of Marketing Your Clinical Practice - Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which is in its 4th edition, has sold over 175,000 copies, and has been translated into Spanish. He also wrote The Complete Business Guide to a Successful Medical Practice, which was published in 2015. Dr. Baum was the columnist for American Medical News for more than 25 years. Dr. Baum also wrote the popular column, “The Bottom Line,” for Urology Times for more than 20 years. He is a requested speaker each year to the Practice Management Seminar for the American Urological Association (AUA), where he discusses techniques for making urology practices more efficient and more productive. He has written more than 9 books on practice management and over 250 peer-reviewed articles on various urologic topics. Dr. Baum is also the medical advisor to Vanguard Communications Group.
