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SP pushing Ideal Protein diet


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I work in a solo physician practice affiliated with a chiropractic and physical therapy office. I work with an SP who has been great, she treats me as a colleague not as an employee/subordinate more often than not. For the past 3 yrs it has been a great place to work and for the most part still is. The glitch is that over the past few months, my SP has decided to sell the Ideal Protein diet. Initially, she wanted me to participate in pushing the diet, but after discussing it, I told her I didn't feel comfortable endorsing any diet other than healthy dieting and regular exercise. She backed off and hasn't asked me to participate directly. I thought this was a good thing and that we would move forward much like we had in the past. Unfortunately, her role in participating in this diet has affected our practice and has made things a little uncomfortable. She often "disappears" during the day to tend to diet clients, which is often inconvenient because if I or the NP need her she is not available - we often have to call over to the chiropractic office to get her to respond. Also, I have spoken with several patients who do not feel comfortable with her endorsing the diet for several reasons...1. she is usually "anti-processed" living, now the patients feel conflicted because they believed she wouldn't support such a product....2. she has asked patients to participate; however, many of our patients can't afford this diet and do not support this type of dieting, but feel uncomfortable with her asking them to participate.

 

I am looking for any thoughts on how to handle this situation. She has not asked me to participate any longer, but her availability has been a problem. The other issue is many of our patients are conflicted and are having a hard time with her decision and though I have suggested speaking to her about it, they are reluctant to confront her about it, but have a problem with it. I don't know how to handle it and would welcome any suggestions.

I work in a solo physician practice affiliated with a chiropractic and physical therapy office. I work with an SP who has been great, she treats me as a colleague not as an employee/subordinate more often than not. For the past 3 yrs it has been a great place to work and for the most part still is. The glitch is that over the past few months, my SP has decided to sell the Ideal Protein diet. Initially, she wanted me to participate in pushing the diet, but after discussing it, I told her I didn't feel comfortable endorsing any diet other than healthy dieting and regular exercise. She backed off and hasn't asked me to participate directly. I thought this was a good thing and that we would move forward much like we had in the past. Unfortunately, her role in participating in this diet has affected our practice and has made things a little uncomfortable. She often "disappears" during the day to tend to diet clients, which is often inconvenient because if I or the NP need her she is not available - we often have to call over to the chiropractic office to get her to respond. Also, I have spoken with several patients who do not feel comfortable with her endorsing the diet for several reasons...1. she is usually "anti-processed" living, now the patients feel conflicted because they believed she wouldn't support such a product....2. she has asked patients to participate; however, many of our patients can't afford this diet and do not support this type of dieting, but feel uncomfortable with her asking them to participate.

 

I am looking for any thoughts on how to handle this situation. She has not asked me to participate any longer, but her availability has been a problem. The other issue is many of our patients are conflicted and are having a hard time with her decision and though I have suggested speaking to her about it, they are reluctant to confront her about it, but have a problem with it. I don't know how to handle it and would welcome any suggestions.

  • Moderator

No worries. We all have our own way of practicing and as long as she is letting you practice your own way no real issues. Might be tough on patients if she is pressuring them. Might consider sharing with her that some patients feel pressured. Their is huge pressure on pcp doc to make money and pay the bills. Maybe this will help that.

 

As for not being avail. Can't imagine there is many emergencies where she would be tuly needed so make your own clinical decision and check with her after. Might be a good experiEnce to get you more independent

  • Moderator

No worries. We all have our own way of practicing and as long as she is letting you practice your own way no real issues. Might be tough on patients if she is pressuring them. Might consider sharing with her that some patients feel pressured. Their is huge pressure on pcp doc to make money and pay the bills. Maybe this will help that.

 

As for not being avail. Can't imagine there is many emergencies where she would be tuly needed so make your own clinical decision and check with her after. Might be a good experiEnce to get you more independent

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