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The Associate and His/Her Boss
 by Jarrod Shapiro, DPM Joined practice of John K Throckmorton,DPM,PC Lansing, Michigan July 2006 Of the many questions I've been asked since writing these editorials, the one that has not come up is "What's the relationship with your boss like?" This is probably one of the most significant issues to consider when choosing your career path after residency. If you can't get along with the person who hires you, the relationship won't work out and you may have no other option than to open your own practice. First, let me give you a short history of my relationship with my boss. John Throckmorton, DPM has very successfully practiced in Lansing, MI after completing a one year residency in Detroit 27 years ago. About one year ago, he suffered a severe MI while on vacation, survived it, and returned to practice after a 3 month hiatus. He decided it would be best if he slowed down a bit and added me on as an associate to take up the slack. For many years, he has been the "go to" podiatrist in the area, a very popular doctor, loved by his patients, and well respected in the medical community. After a short negotiation, and what I thought was a very fair contract, he hired me, and I've been working for him these past 7 months. If you can be a type AAA personality, Dr Throckmorton is it. He has the energy of any three doctors, and so far I haven't seen him tire out. Originally, I had concerns that we weren't compatible. I'm type A also (if you haven't already noticed) but in a more quiet and reserved way. I was concerned that he would find me too reserved, and that I would be unable to deal with his more outgoing personality. We talked before I started, and I found him to be a very fair, caring, and generous person once I got past my original impressions. Since working for him, I've become quite fond of him. I'm treated not as an employee but as a partner and friend. For a doctor in practice 27 years, he is amenable to my suggestions whether business related or surgical. Think of some of your attendings who've been around a while and consider if they'd take your suggestions on how to do a case. I hope I'm that open minded after 27 years of practice! He respects my opinion and allows me the freedom to treat my patients the way I see fit. Now, it's not all fun and games. For example, Dr Throckmorton runs his practice in some dated ways. We're still handwriting our notes, which is a bit difficult for me, having trained with dictation and EMR programs. He is very wary about obtaining a DME license, feeling it is too complicated.. We've had several discussions about this lucrative and beneficial service, and he is only now, after 7 months, warming up to the idea. I point out, though, that he actually listens to what I have to say. The key to what I think is a successful relationship thus far is that we have mutual respect and are open-minded to our differences. Is this not the hallmark of any successful relationship, whether a business partnership or a marriage? For those of you looking for an associateship, make sure you have several discussions, lunches, etc with your potential employer and get to know him or her BEFORE you sign a contract. They can be your best friend or a constant source of misery! Be sure to read the Letters to the Editor below. Talk to me,
***Wound Clinics*** Like you, I'm new [in practice] too. I hated wound care clinic in residency. I don't think I'd do it now. Honestly, I'm not sure it pays all that well either. Facility rates are a big cut below what we get paid in the office, at least with Medicare in New York. But, you are definitely right about interacting with other providers. I'm busy, but don't really interact much with primary care, unless it's surgical clearance. I definitely did more interacting as a resident. Eric
Edelman, DPM ***Marketing with a Physician Liaison*** I read with interest your recent "New Doc on the Block" article regarding marketing opportunities for new practitioners. Even though I am 10 years removed from completion of my residency, I have recently left my director position at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo IA, and moved about an hour south and joined forces with a friend in Cedar Rapids. New hospitals, new clinics, new OR staffs, new administrators, you know the routine. One thing every new physician should check is to see if the local hospitals have a physician liaison as part of their administrative team. This is a person that can set up meet and greets with just about every clinic in town that generates income in some form or fashion to the hospital. They can make all the calls and coordinate everyone's schedules and save you a lot of legwork. I have found this to be very helpful as I make new contacts in the worlds of family practice and internal medicine to generate the referrals. I would recommend that you add the use of a physician liaison to your repertoire of strategies when getting started. William
Knudson, DPM
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