Guest guest Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 l'm scheduled to attend an ethics review today i think, at 1330. i'll check on those gift limits. there are also strict rules on who can benefit from gifts 4 referrals, but they are not off limits. if u give gift vouchers for your bro-in-law's restaurant, u did just break the law! lynn [anne.crowley] wrote: Liz: I am not familar with the joint commission on patient gifts, however, I was told that any gifts or fees for referral is a no no. I have to sometimes tell patients this, since I might get a hint about that. One time a screwed up a patient's appointment, two in the waiting room at the same time and only one room. The next time she came in I gave her a bottle of herbs free. I think that is fine- also the gifts thing - check what Lynn says there about amounts. Anne remember, in the states, joint commission places limits on gifts to pts. i figure it's good to keep those in > mind even if we're not bound by them - unless we're working in a hospital or > credentialed clinic setting. i'm about to do an ethics review, in '06, it was > ~$15/gift/pt, $50/cumulative. i like the lifetime library membership idea, > also. lynn > > [lizzzrd] wrote: > The only advertising I pay for is a small listing in the phone book under > " acupuncture " so that people can find me. More than 2/3 of my clients come in > because a current or previous patient has referred me. The next largest > percentage have been referred by practitioners of various modalities. It's > been my experience that most people who are new to acupuncture have a certain > amount of nervousness about it. They much prefer to see an acupuncturist > recommended by someone they trust. > > I'd rather put my advertising money into things that support and thank my > existing patients. To that end, I have a free lending library of books, CDs and > DVDs on health practices and issues, that I add to on a regular basis. Anyone > who has ever seen me, even if it's only once, becomes a lifetime member of the > library. I keep a stock of books on hand - including titles by Roger Jahnke, > Ellison Haas, Andrew Weil and others - and I always send one as a thank you when > a referral is made. Whenever a patient inquires whether acupuncture might help > their friend or family member, I answer their questions and then give them a > copy of " The Acupuncture Answer Book " to give to the person they're concerned > about. I occasionally have give-aways in the office for patients - little hand > massagers, great pens with my name and phone number on them, small jars of > specialty bath salts for relaxing or for muscle aches. I always send personal > birthday and anniversary cards out, too. > > I started doing all these things because I'm a friendly person and because I > really like and appreciate my patients. Over time, I've come to realize that > they're much better as marketing tools than any ad I could devise. I've never > done any internet advertising and probably never will. > Peace, Liz Casey > > - > Angela Pfaffenberger > Chinese Medicine > Wednesday, January 24, 2007 4:10 PM > Internet advertising > > > There seem to be lots of internet advertising opportunities now-a-days, such > as listings on a site, such as acufinder. > > I wondered if people would be willing to share what has worked for them - or > not worked. > I tried google adwords. It was hard to track if it brought in clients but it's > afterall very inexpensive once you actually have a website. > Angela Pf > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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