Okay - I haven’t tried this out, but I have to admit the demo looks pretty slick.

Patient Prompt emails, calls, or text messages your clients to remind them of their appointments, allows them to respond to confirm, and it does it all automatically. Reminder calls consume quite a bit of time for us these days, but I can’t imagine not doing them. This might be just the solution.

I’m not sure how patients would respond to the automated system. You can actually record your own message so that clients hear a familiar voice, but I still tend to lean more toward the full-service, “real person” approach from a service quality perspective. If you’ve tried it, or have any thoughts, leave a comment and let us know.

We at The Health Gazette recognze that health is unavoidably political. It affects people, it costs individuals and governments (public funds) a lot of money -- how could it not be political?

So we were interested to read a statement by Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas), Republican Presidential candidate for 2008, under the title "Health Freedom". Here it is:

Americans are justifiably concerned over the government’s escalating intervention into their freedom to choose what they eat and how they take care of their health.

The December Ezine Edition of The Health Gazette will be publised on time, December 1st, 2007. This edition will be distributed by email from the far south coast of New South Wales, Australia, where the editor will interrupt his beach holiday just to ensure this last edition for the year reaches subscribers on time. The archived edition will be available around mid December.

The featured article in the December edition is titled: Varicose Veins: Prevention and Treatment. This commonly experienced but little discussed condition does not have to be suffered until it becomes bad enough for surgical intervention. Contrary to popular opinion some treatment is available and it does not involve the use of dangerous drugs. Many people will be interested to read the steps to prevention.

Massage Therapist “M” writes:

“I need suggestions on what to include in introduction letters to MD’s to telling them about my massage services.”

We’ve touched on this before, but here are some specifics you might consider when writing to an MD:

1. Leverage before you write.

If you can make personal contact with any MD in advance, do so. They can give you more advice about approaching the rest than anyone else can, and possible provide some introductions. Starting your letter with “Dr. Jones suggested I contact you to…” will get your letter far more attention.

You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to connect through a friend or other contact if you simply take the position of seeking advice, rather than looking for business. Take a little time to network first before you fire off your letters - find that one MD who will open doors for you.

2. Differentiate yourself
MD’s need a reason to refer to you, versus other RMT’s out there. Do you have a specialty? What makes you better, different, or unique? Is it your price? Your service? Your special training? Your hours? Your focus on a specific issue?

Some professions are more challenging to stand out in than others, and massage therapy can be one of them. If you haven’t already, now is the time to find your niche.

3. Be credible
MD’s want to know you’re legit and professional. Make sure your letter includes:

• Your credentials and any advanced training.
• Any experience in hospital or other mainstream health areas
• Your years of experience, if applicable
• Previous experience with other MD’s

And, of course, make sure it’s:

• Well-written
• Professional in appearance
• Error-free

4. Make it risk-free
Offer a short, free “meet the RMT” visit, where you show people your office, explain how you work, and what conditions you focus on. Include a dozen of these “meet the massage therapist” cards with your letter.

5. Focus on resolving a chronic complaint
MD’s are often burdened with patients who have chronic conditions that both patient and doctor would love to see resolved. Find a way to help an MD by taking a few troublesome patients off their hands.

Chuck McKay, author, marketing guru, and founder of Advance My Practice is looking for practitioners with a talent for writing who might be interested in joining their team of contributing editors. You’d be writing for fame, not fortune, but it looks like Chuck’s putting together a good team, and he’s a nice fella, too.

If you’ve got something to say about marketing a practice, you can contact Chuck here.