Better or Bitter?
by Dr. Richard Drake, Co-Founder of DS3
Slowly, with some pain, I rolled over to turn off the clock radio alarm. Sammy Hagar blasting “I can’t drive 55.” That’s funny, I thought, since that particular day, I did in fact turn the double nickel. Sure, not everything works as well as it used to, and there is pain now where there used to be none, but I remain thankful for each day I get on this wonderful plan-et.
As I age, especially in my chosen profession of dentistry, I’ve found a challenge that I fight every day: bitterness.
Patients, staff, insurance companies, MD’s, sleep labs, the powers that be… Most days it seems they are ALL against me. I want to be-come an old man; I do NOT want to become a bitter old man and I fight this battle every single day.
So in between patients these days, instead of running to the gym, or taking a ten mile bike ride, like I used to do, I’m usually heading off to a doctor visit, if not to market my dental sleep practice, then for a person-al appointment. The dermatologist: several more skin cancers frozen off; one excised off the top of my head, but when she sewed it up, my ears were a little higher and I had a few less wrinkles. You get the picture. The good news, though, as my wife put it the other day, is that my frequent visits to the doctor have made me a better doctor. “Really”, I asked. She retorted, “You’re more patient with your patients now. You’re a better listener. You occasionally even believe what they tell you.” Wow! That’s not bitter. That’s BETTER!
Bitterness rears its ugly head every time someone in my office says the word “insurance.” Patients look me in the eyes, tell me they under-stand exactly how important it is that we treat their severe sleep apnea, and in the same breath, tell me they have to get their dog’s surgery done first.
“You know, those veterinarians aren’t like you real doctors; they want all their money up front, BEFORE you even get treatment!”
“Dr. PCP, what do you mean you won’t sign the LOMN? WHY not? The patient has a disease that is slowly sucking the life out of him each night. It’s knocking days, months, years off his life. Is it medically necessary to treat? Of course it is!”
“Dr. Drake, the insurance company has asked for more documentation before they will pay…..again. I’ve sent it to them several times al-ready…….”
If you’ve been practicing dental sleep medicine for any length of time, then you feel my pain. It’s a real challenge. But stay the course. Endure. Hang tough. Be persistent. Stick with it. Remain determined. Persevere.
Each day, we get to choose how we will respond to life’s challenges. Think of it all as a game. Get up for it. Play it. Play it well. Don’t let them get you down. Don’t let them pull you down to their level.
Take the high road. Your patients sleep better, feel better, and live longer, because of what you do. Now, why not you? Be the best you can be, and provide the best service to your patients you can.
Choose better over bitter.
