Improving New Treatment Adherence
Start on the Right Foot
When starting patients on a new treatment, to get them to use the medication well, I ask them to report their progress to me in 1 week, either through our electronic medical record portal or by cell phone call or text.
Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD
Winston-Salem, NC
Back Lotion Applicators
For older patients, those with arthritis, or those who cannot reach much of their back, applying sunscreens, moisturizing lotions, or prescription topicals can be a challenge. Recommend they search on their favorite e-commerce store for a “back lotion applicator,” roughly 17 inches in length. For $15 to $20, it is a useful device for applying topicals to hard-to-reach areas.
Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dealing With Bad Weather
In my geographic area, we often have weather threats that may or may not happen like tornados and ice storms. When we have a threat of bad weather, I take the next day’s schedule, with patient phone numbers, home with me the night before. If the bad weather hits and nobody can get to the office, I can call the patients and tell them that the office is closed and at the same time try to help them with any pressing issues on the phone. When I was more industrious, I did these as telemedicine visits and billed for them, but now I am happy just to be able to take care of any acute problems with everyone staying safe.
Jo Herzog, MD | Vestavia Hills, AL
