Q:

Dr. M

I am a former student and email reader. Lately I have been thinking 
about my office hours. I have some friends that say your first 5 
years should be very open so that in 5 years when you take the time 
off you'll appreciate it. Plus the visits add up at the end of the 
month. I have others one of which who works 4pm-7pm mon -thurs. 
Cluster books and does what he wants. I definitely feel that with a 
lot of hours patients are coming in when they feel like it and if they 
miss oh well. Any input? I couldn't find anything in your book. Two 
thoughts I had were, 12-6 mon-fri or M,W 10am-12 3pm-6; T ,Th 12-
6; Fr 10-12. Thanks for your help 


A:

Thanks for the e-mail. Office hours are in the eyes of the beholder or 
whatever you feel is comfortable.

There are some consultants that recommend concentrated hours and 
more time off. The theory is that patients will come as they are told 
and busy practice times are universally the same .. from 10 AM to 
lunch and a few hours in the afternoon .. such as what you mentioned 
in your e-mail (M,W 10am-12 3pm-6 and Fri Fr 10-12). This is okay 
if you are making enough money or you are skilled in patient 
persuasion and they follow directly what you recommend. A CBP 
consultant Dr. Rachamacher .. recommends less hours but full steam 
during them.

If you have the financial ability to coast and not spend the energy 
practicing .. this is a great idea. It is also a great idea if the hours 
not in the office is spent promoting .. in this case the idea is very 
sound. 

So .. to answer your question I have to ask you .. why would you want 
to have less hours? Your friends that say your first 5 years should 
be very open so that in 5 years when you take the time off you'll 
appreciate it .. is entitled to his opinion. But with all the practices 
trying to stay afloat .. I would suspect that the more hours the 
better .. not just to be there .. but during a lull .. promote .. promote .. 
promote. Start with chapter one and reread the Smart Start Book. Go 
to my webpage and look under Practice Tips and follow the 
independent study using the book and refresh your memory of the 
class and what I tried to teach. 

There are just as many consultants thaty want you to always be in 
the office .. the more time there the more time for patients. It's a 
matter of opinion that lies inthe eyes of the beholder. Whatever you 
do .. it will work if you want it to

Have a Great Day

Dr. M