Provided by:  Jennifer Kirschenbaum, Esq.

December 30, 2020

Question:

Hi Jennifer,

Is this for real? Seems too good to be true that I can just ignore patients...is this an early 2021 gift? 

  
Dr. B
 

Answer:

Unfortunately this publication seems related to The Onion.   Good for a rise, but satirical in nature, and untrue. Seems a good time to write on a lighter topic to end the year. I've seen interesting responses to the crush of social media.  I represent practices that hang their worst reviews on the walls, have hired PR reps and social media controls, works with vendors to control online reputation, and one of my favorite responses - having favorite bad reviews printed on toilet paper and using in the bathroom (email me if you want a vendor recommendation).

Terminating the patient relationship is still the proper course if you have a non compliant, combative or threatening patient.  Asking current patients who have posted bad reviews to remove same remains the most effective way to have removed.  Reviews are hard to take down fighting Big Tech. 

Let's see what 2021 brings.  I'm hoping its legislation that will protect providers. There is legislation working to unify patient medical records - accessibility and universal reach, which will in turn impact confidentiality... more to come on that topic...

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2021!