Initial consultation - what would you have done?

[Reoriented]

I have been having a flare up in my back pain this week so haven't been able to work at all. At one of the places I work, the owner suggested I had a free 15-minute spinal assessment and diagnosis from the physio/osteopath that works there. I didn't see the point really as I've seen lots of physios/chiros/osteos and nothing has helped so far but as she offered and it was free I thought I had nothing to loose. I thought the offer of a diagnosis was quite optimistic!

Just went along and the 15-minutes turned in to an 1 hour session. Thought he was just being nice and giving me plenty of time as I was a fellow therapist and lots of probs with my back. He suggested I have treatment with him which I knew who would. Then I was asked for payment for the consultation - £40. I was quite shocked as I thought I was just having a free consult. I said I had no money and would bring it in when I was next in. I never said anything which is stupid of me. There was some serious miscommunications going on between everyone concerned. I wouldn't have gone if I had known I was going to have to payout £40 - I didn't even get any treatment on my back. Plus I don't have £40 to spend as I've not been working plus I have an appointment with my regular chiropractor tomorrow so have to pay out then £30 and can't cancel it now as too short notice. What a nightmare.

Was interested how you guys would have reacted and maybe what you would suggest I do about the situation.

 

[0Skater4Life0]

Hi Lavandula

Speak with the owner first, and explain what took place. With the owners support speak with the physio/osteopath - you may get a full refund or some of your money back.

Air the misunderstanding, you never know you may be given a full refund as a goodwill gesture. Like you say, you are fellow therapists.


Good luck, x

 

[Rosy L]

Oh no, how can see how this would be complicated!
It's so difficult to be too polite to say something sometimes! I agree with Penny, try talking to the owner, I think...

 

[MartinK]

It looks as if the practitioner has been quite mean under the circumstances.

But I would say that the seeds of this misuderstanding were sown quite early on, and this is an interesting insight into the patient experience also. After this you'll definitely be able to avoid this happening again, I hope?

As to what you do now, well, that's up to you, but I would treat this as a pracitcal matter, if you can't afford to give away 40 quid in order to be polite then you don't need to be too polite.

As a practitioner, though, I am concerned that you are already under the care of a chiropractor, but sought other therapy that may complicate the picture. Wouldn't it have been wise to a) discuss things with the chirporactor, particularly why you felt you needed something else, or b) said to the new practitioner that you didn't think it wise to proceed to actual treatment as you were already receiving treatment, or c) finish with the chiropractor before moving on?

 

[Bikram S]

Thanks for the advise. I've just sent the owner an email so I will see what happens now.