The Economical Charges

Dr. Dev (fictional name) was visiting his friend Dr. Akshay Kalekar (fictional name), the famous ENT surgeon. We had read his smart way to cut cost in his day to day practice in ‘The Tongue Depressor’ http://agnipathdoctors.blogspot.com/2015/05/practice-tips-tongue-depressor.html

While Dr. Dev was sitting in his consultation chamber, a patient came to show his problem. Dr Akshay examined the patient, made his diagnosis and asked to see his previous treatment papers.

After examining his previous papers, Dr. Akshay explained to the patient, that he requires operation to treat his condition.

The patient agreed to undergo operation, as his previous doctor has also advised operation as part of treatment. He asked Dr. Akshay his professional charges for the operation.

‘It will be Rs. 12,000’ replied Dr. Akshay.

Dr. Dev was surprised because Dr. Akshay normally charges just Rs. 10,000 for that procedure. He keenly waited to see the patient’s reaction to hearing the charges.

Much to his further surprise, the patient happily agreed to the charges without even requesting to give him discount or reduction in the charges.

As soon as the patient had left the consultation chamber, Dr. Dev curiously inquired, ‘Dr. Akshay, why did you tell the patient your charges will be Rs. 12,000 for the operation, when you routinely charge just Rs. 10,000 for same?’ ‘And, more importantly why did the patient so readily agreed to the charges without demanding for some discount as patients usually do?’

‘Well Dr. Dev’ replied Dr. Akshay, ‘your surprise is justified.’ ‘I do charge Rs 10,000 for this operation. But while going through patient’s previous treatment record I found that he had consulted Dr. R. S. Sharma (fictional name), senior ENT surgeon of the city and he had also advised operation for the same.’

‘Now, being a senior ENT surgeon with an advanced setup, Dr. R. S. Sharma’s operation charges are generally 50% more than what most of us generally charge. So, he must have told the patient that the charges for this operation will be Rs. 15,000.’

‘So, when I told the patient the charges for this operation will be Rs. 12,000, he happily agreed as my charges appeared economical as compared to Dr. R. S. Sharma’s charges. The patient was getting a reduction of Rs. 3,000 or 20% in the operation charges as proposed by Dr. R. S. Sharma.’

‘So’, elucidated Dr. Akshay, ‘It pays to know whom the patient consulted before coming to you and what your other colleagues are charging for their services.’

(Based on true incident)
— ND
© Author. All rights reserved. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 


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The Medicine Sample

This happened to my good friend, Dr. S. M. Meena. He had gone to Baran, Rajasthan for giving expert medical evidence in a medico-legal case, in the District Judge (DJ) Court. The District Judge had become friendly with Dr. S. M. Meena as he had gone many times previously to the same court for giving evidences in medico-legal cases.

After his evidence was over, the Judge asked Dr. S. M. Meena to please give him some medicines for his ear-ache. He was having the ear-ache for some time, but due to his busy schedule, could not find time to go and consult some ENT specialist for it.

As, Dr. S. M. Meena was posted and living outside Baran at that time, he did not have any medicines with him. He remembered his senior, Dr. Prithviraj (fictional name) was having a roaring general medicine practice in the same town.

So, Dr. S. M. Meena, went to Dr. Prithviraj’s clinic and asked him to give some medicines from the samples provided by the Pharma companies’ representatives. Dr. Prithviraj searched through the samples to find some higher generation antibiotics, ear-drops and some pain-killer for the Judge Saab. Finally, finding some suitable medicines, Dr. Prithviraj gave them to Dr. S. M. Meena,

Dr. S. M. Meena immediately took the medicines to the Court and gave them to the Judge Saab with a feeling of mission completed successfully. The Judge took the medicines, thanked Dr. S. M. Meena profusely and looked at the medicines.

Suddenly with a stern look on his face the Judge demanded, ‘Dr. Meena, do you want to cure me or kill me?’ On hearing this, Dr. S. M. Meena was shocked. With a crest-fallen face he asked, ‘Sir, what is the problem?’ ‘What have I done to make you say such a thing?’

Pointing at the medicines, the Judge explained, ‘Look at the expiry date on these medicines. Both the antibiotics and ear-drops have passed the expiry dates months ago!’ Dr. S. M. Meena looked closely and indeed found this to be true.

The judge further enquired. ‘Where have you got this medicines?’ Dr. S. M. Meena replied, ‘I have got them from my senior Dr. Prithviraj.’ The judge ordered, ‘Call Dr. Prithviraj here immediately. I am registering a case against both of you for negligence and attempt to cause bodily harm by your action.’

Dr. S. M. Meena phoned Dr. Prithviraj, explained the goof-up which had occurred, and immediately called him to the Court. Rushing to the court, Dr. Prithviraj along with Dr. S. M. Meena, explained to the Judge that the mistake has occurred unintentionally, they had the best intentions in mind and such an error will not ever occur in future.

Suddenly with a smile the Judge said, ‘I understand that giving this expiry date passed medicines to me was unintentional mistake on your part. I just want to impress in your mind the problem which can occur if you had given these medicines to someone other than me. They may have not checked the expiry date on the medicines and used them and then blame any subsequent problems on you. Be vigilant in future and make sure such a thing never occurs in future.’

Dr. S. M. Meena and Dr. Prithviraj thanked the Judge Saab for letting them off the hook and departed the Court.

Dr. S. M. Meena and Dr. Prithviraj learned their lesson that day. Sometimes actions done with best intention can back-fire due to some small over-sight. They now very carefully check the expiry date before giving or receiving any medicines or samples.

(Based on true incident)

— NKD

© Author. All rights reserved. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 


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The Tongue Depressor – Practical Tips / Living Tips

One of the senior physician (let us call him Dr. Med) and ENT (Oto-Rhino-Laryngologist) surgeon (let us call him Dr. En) were having a friendly discussion in a short coffee break from the busy OPD in a multi-specialty clinic.

The discussion slowly turned to respiratory tract infections (RTI), such as cough and cold, and its treatment. Earlier doctors used to use plastic or metal tongue depressor to check the throat of the patients coming with RTI. There was problem of hygiene and risk of cross-transfer of infection from one patient to another with these reusable tongue depressors.

To obviate the necessity to wash and disinfect the tongue depressors in between patients, doctors have widely shifted to using use and throw disposable wooden tongue depressors but with an increase in the recurring cost.

Dr. Med used to charge very nominal consultation fees from patients. He remarked to Dr. En that; while he charges just Rs. 40/- per consultation per patient, he has spending Rs. 5/- on the disposable wooden tongue depressor he uses to check the patient’s throat coming with complaints of sore throat or fever.

Dr. En removed a wooden tongue depressor from his bag and showed to Dr. Med. “Sir, are you using tongue depressor like this to check the patients?” he enquired.

Dr. Med closely examined the tongue depressor and remarked, “Yes, this is exactly like the ones which I am using. What is the cost of this depressor?” he enquired.

Dr. En remarked, “I buy 20 pieces for Rs. 5/-.”

“What!” Dr. Med was amazed. “Which medical supplier do you buy them?” he enquired.

Dr. En replied, “You buy them as wooden tongue depressor from medical suppliers and pay Rs. 5/- for each. I buy them from the local old city Ice Candy manufactures as ice-candy sticks and pay just 25 paise (Rs. 0.25) each.”

In life, cost of a thing is determined not just by its intrinsic value but also by its labels. The labels maybe of a famous brand, a popular shop, a renowned manufacturer or just naming the same object by grandiose terms or jargon. Be vigilant and shop smart. Avoid overpaying only for fancy terms or description.

— NKD

© Author. All rights reserved. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 

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