Physician Online Marketing - Tips to Avoid Drug Seekers
I’ve recently had several calls from physicians who have developed an online presence to seek new patients. Online marketing of your practice seems like a great option to grow a practice. However, what I’m hearing is that many patients who find doctors online do not want a treatment relationship, but rather only want controlled substances.
To dissuade potential patients who simply may be drug-seeking, and if your state has a Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), you can add the following language to your profile:
“I check the state Prescription Monitoring Program before I prescribe.”
If you are in one of the few states that does not have a PMP, you may want to use this language on your profile:
“I do not prescribe controlled substances on the first visit.”
PMPs can be very useful in providing important clinical information that patients may not necessarily share with you. If you are not sure whether your state has a PMP, or to find more information on your state’s PMP, visit www.namsdl.org/prescription-monitoring-programs.cfm.
Happy holidays!
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Donna Vanderpool, MBA, JD – Vice PresidentAs Vice President of Risk Management, Ms. Vanderpool is responsible for the development and implementation of PRMS’s risk management services for The Psychiatrists’ Program. Ms. Vanderpool has developed expertise in the areas of HIPAA and forensic practice, and has consulted, written and spoken nationally on these and other healthcare law and risk management topics. She most recently wrote a chapter concerning the risks of harm to forensic experts for Robert L. Sadoff, MD’s book Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychiatry: Minimizing Harm, (Feb. 2011/Wiley). Ms. Vanderpool received her undergraduate degree from James Madison University, and her MBA and JD from George Mason University. Prior to joining PRMS in 2000, Ms. Vanderpool practiced criminal defense law, taught business and legal courses as an adjunct faculty member at a community college and spent eight years managing a general surgical practice in Virginia. |