How to 'retire' those painful patients in your books?

A close friend recently shared that one of her potential patients (who took up a free 15 minute consult) was an absolute pain in the butt.

She had a terrible attitude about her health and whether my friend could actually help her.

On top of that she was already complaining about the price.

Now, initially you try and please these patients.?

Convince them you are somehow different from all of the other clinicians they’ve slandered.

It’s easy to feel intimidated and minimalised by these patients.

Discount your worth to impress upon them that you are worth it.

Because they are testing you.

They have placed a frame on you that asks you to prove you are worth their money, time and efforts.

Now what if you reversed it?

What if you stood up and owned your worth, then reversed the frame and asked them to prove?if they are worth your time and effort?

Forget about the money for now, you can always make that back.

And the truth be told, these patients often end up costing you money, because of all the grievances they place on you and your team (and your gut lining).

You know the patients I’m talking about right???

The ones you see on your day sheet and you cringe.?

The ones you go to bed worrying about, and then wake up worrying about.

The ones you eventually wish you had never taken on because they are nothing more than trouble.

To the point that you would gladly pay just to be rid of them.

Well, here’s your chance.

Right at the start of the interaction, the connection.

Right here, where it starts.

So, I said to my girlfriend -

This woman is a gift to you. She is asking you to step up. Own you’re worth.

Speak your truth in a loving way.

And protect your boundaries - fiercely.

What could you say to her as she is busy speaking at you, being irritable? Entitled? Full of attitude and negativity?

(And if you’ve gone limbic in the middle of this conversation, because somehow she triggered the insecure ‘inner child’ part of you, then remember you are a full grown powerful woman now).

Feel your body - the contraction in your stomach means it’s time to step up and face the elephant in the room.

It’s your time.

So, with due respect, you say you hear her.??

You state the facts, you keep your tone even and neutral.

And you say that in order for you to help your patients at the highest levels you can (because you know you can), there are a few conditions around how you work and what you expect from the patients.

A, B, C.

Whatever they are for you (respect, coming on time, not cancelling appointments last minute, trusting in the process, etc).

And you let her know the truth:

There’s the possibility that our relationship doesn’t fit, and if it doesn’t that means we won’t be able to get the best outcome for both of us.

In that case, I’m happy to refer you on to someone else who you may connect with more.?

Don’t be worried about letting her go.

It will open up the room for someone better to come along and be blessed by your skill and care and connection.

If right now, you are constantly butting heads against the same old type of patients (or any people in your life for that matter), realise it is the universe working in your favour.

How could this be possible Fern?!! You ask.

Well, the universe keeps giving you the same old lessons until you step up, learn and grow.

And that means speaking up, having those uncomfortable conversations and protecting your boundaries.

In doing so, you pay yourself the greatest respect.

And that will be your proudest moment when you look back in time.

So, go for it.

There are, no doubt, a lot of people out there waiting for you to step up and practice healthy boundary setting.

Love,

Fern

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