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Can attendings please discuss how much and in what manner they interact with medical device or pharm reps? Thanks.
Device/Pharm Rep interactions
- Thread starter air bud
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- Feb 22, 2009
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Our office has a very cordial relationship with the reps because we feel that ulimately it benefits our patients. If pharm reps leave samples, it's of benefit to our patients who may not have prescription plans and need samples.
If a rep walks into our office and we have no interest in the product, we simply don't waste the reps time and let him/her know.
Our office is set up relatively uniquely. It is set up in "stations". Each doc that is working that day (we may have up to 3 docs at a time) has a set of 3 rooms that are set up in a small grouping in a "pod". Outside those 3 rooms is a counter with a sink, a set of computers for charting and cabinets with some supplies the doctor may need and cabinets containing samples and a laser printer for prescriptions, notes, etc.
Around the "corner" are mirror image set ups for the other doctors.
During the day, our familiar drug reps will come in while we're treating patients, catch us while we're between patients and ask us for a signature and place samples in our cabinets. They know us well and are comfortable with that scenario. If they want more time, they will have to schedule a lunch for our undivided attention.
Similarly, if an orthopedic rep or new rep really wants more than 1 minute, he/she will really have to schedule an appointment during our lunch break, and that means one of our front desk staff will swindle them into bringing lunch. During that lunch, each one of us will have the opportunity to pop in for a few minutes to talk to the rep and give him/her the courtesy of listening and asking questions. Since our office is busy, that's the way it works.
Once in a while, if it's something all the partners believe is very important, we will schedule 15 minutes during our biweekly partner meeting at 7 am for the rep to get us all at once.
Some of the orthopedic reps have gotten smart and know that I'm usually in surgery all day one day a week at a specific hospital, so simply show up there to get me between cases.
I'm always cordial and nice to the reps, because if and when I need their help or assistance, it's ulitmately for the benefit of my patient. And these reps are only trying to do their job and make a living, so you can't blame them for that fact.
If a rep walks into our office and we have no interest in the product, we simply don't waste the reps time and let him/her know.
Our office is set up relatively uniquely. It is set up in "stations". Each doc that is working that day (we may have up to 3 docs at a time) has a set of 3 rooms that are set up in a small grouping in a "pod". Outside those 3 rooms is a counter with a sink, a set of computers for charting and cabinets with some supplies the doctor may need and cabinets containing samples and a laser printer for prescriptions, notes, etc.
Around the "corner" are mirror image set ups for the other doctors.
During the day, our familiar drug reps will come in while we're treating patients, catch us while we're between patients and ask us for a signature and place samples in our cabinets. They know us well and are comfortable with that scenario. If they want more time, they will have to schedule a lunch for our undivided attention.
Similarly, if an orthopedic rep or new rep really wants more than 1 minute, he/she will really have to schedule an appointment during our lunch break, and that means one of our front desk staff will swindle them into bringing lunch. During that lunch, each one of us will have the opportunity to pop in for a few minutes to talk to the rep and give him/her the courtesy of listening and asking questions. Since our office is busy, that's the way it works.
Once in a while, if it's something all the partners believe is very important, we will schedule 15 minutes during our biweekly partner meeting at 7 am for the rep to get us all at once.
Some of the orthopedic reps have gotten smart and know that I'm usually in surgery all day one day a week at a specific hospital, so simply show up there to get me between cases.
I'm always cordial and nice to the reps, because if and when I need their help or assistance, it's ulitmately for the benefit of my patient. And these reps are only trying to do their job and make a living, so you can't blame them for that fact.
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I won't see a rep (pharm or implant) that shows up randomly when I am seeing patients without the decency to call ahead. If they choose to wait, they can.
I prefer to have them schedule a lunch with the entire office.
I prefer to have them schedule a lunch with the entire office.
3
347932
Same.
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We have some reps who we know very well and come to the office every 2 weeks to drop off samples, coupons for patients, etc. I'm not sure if I would say they don't have the "decency" to not call ahead. They are providing samples and coupons for my patients and stocking my cabinets, etc. These are "regulars" and all they want from me between patients is a simple signature, and I'm happy to oblige. I'm certainly not going to ask them to bring our office lunch everytime they walk into the office.
For new reps or orthopedic reps, as I stated before, if they want to talk or discuss a product in detail, that's when they will be asked to provide a lunch for the office.
3
347932
If they are "regulars" and well known to you, I agree 100%.
Around here it seems like we have a huge turnover of reps, and each new one feel the need to "rep" us on the product when they walk in the door, with not so much as a phone call to introduce themselves and ask when would be a good time to do this, even if we've been using the product for years. This can become rather disruptive, especially if they don't know the ropes and stumble their way through their introductions, and during a busy office day, its just not appreciated. As you mentioned, they are asked to schedule a lunch to have time to give us their schpiel(sp?) or take the time to properly introduce themselves.
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I absolutely agree. Pharm reps are usually the better of the two and usually take less than a minute of my time, which I do not mind at all.
I have a problem mainly with the equipment reps that try to sneak past the front desk girls saying they only need a minute and then that turns into 10 and the entire morning/afternoon seems to fall apart after that delay.
