Author Archives: Dr. Tom

Healthy Hiking In Outdoors Wisconsin

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Tom-and-wife

Chiropractor Dr Tom Potisk and wife Susan

12 Steps to the Top

Success, whether it be in business, relationships, or even hiking can be a challenge. It’s a lot easier when you know the formula to succeed.

Join the PM&A team for a fun and motivational outing at Devil’s Lake State Park on Saturday, October 23from 11 till 3 PM. The state park is located near Baraboo, Wisconsin.

This event is free for PM&A members, their families and staff. Non-members are welcome for a fee of $10.00. Food will be provided courtesy of PM&A.

Itinerary:

11:00 – meet in the parking lot. Food and drink will be served.

11:40 – warm up with martial arts taught by Ed Petty.

12:00 – begin hike to top of bluff/scenic overlook. The motivational program “12 Steps To The Top” will be presented along the route by Dr Tom Potisk, author of Reclaim the Joy of Practice – An Advanced Guide for Advancing Doctors

3:00 – end of event.

Members of the Bad to the Bone Chiropractic Motorcycle Riders group will be traveling as a group from Milwaukee.  Contact Ed Petty for details –Ed@pmaworks.com.

For food planning reasons you must RSVP. Contact Dr Tom Potisk –tpotisk@aol.com. Further details will be forthcoming following your registration.

Motorcycles, Natural Hot Springs, Sushi, and Chiropractic Philosophy – Wowee! What a Weekend!!

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In the natural hot springs.

In the natural hot springs.

I just returned from a few days in Costa Mesa CA.  I attended CalJam, a chiropractic philosophy/music convention, with Ed Petty from PM&A.   It was refreshingly different because of the focus on chiropractic’s unique philosophy combined with music.

The man behind it all is Dr. Billy DeMoss and his fun-loving personality really shows in the event. Check out my video of BJ Palmer resurrected.  [Longer Version]

Of course, I had to give Ed a lesson about why I’m called the “down-to-earth” doctor (www.thedowntoearthdoctor.com), a big part of it is going on adventures, so I took him on a high desert search for a natural hot spring called Deep Creek Spring. Yes, those are my feet in the picture.  Ed reciprocated by guiding me on a motorcycle tour one of the days – I drove my first Harley and now I’m hooked!  Thanks Ed.

My Harley in Laguna Beach, CA

My Harley in Laguna Beach, CA

As I listened to many of the greats like Dr Dan Murphy, Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, etc. I became even more grateful for the 25 years of tremendous success I’ve had in chiropractic. “Best profession in the world!” is what I told a 2nd semester student I bumped into there.  He was wondering if he made the right decision, given all the negative news circulating about the business of practicing lately.

The speakers were talented and the content inspiring, but it also became apparent to me, that the seminars of PM&A are better in the sense that they lack sales. What I mean is that all or most of the speakers at CalJam, as inspiring and fun as they are to listen to, have a hidden agenda – they want to sell me something. That’s one of several reasons why I stayed with PM&A as my practice management guide, and why I’m excited to now be a part of their team.

I teach a class around the country called Reclaim the Joy of Practice, based on my book of the same name (www.reclaimthejoy.com) for content, I’m always on the lookout for exceptional DCs.  I bumped in to Dr. Gerald Clum, president of Life West Chiropractic College.

Listen to his brief message in response to my question “What can chiropractors do to be more successful?”  LINK.

Doctor, how can you apply that message today?

Asking Permission, Gaining Respect

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By Dr. Tom Potisk

Doctors of chiropractic appreciate respect as do patients. When a doctor acknowledges and recognizes that the patient may have limited time and money, a mutual respect develops and the situation becomes win-win. For example, when making a recommendation to a patient, ask “May I explain the tests that need to be performed today?”, and then “These will take approximately ____ minutes. Do you have time today?”

After explaining the results, a good follow up is: “Are you ready to start treatment today?” Then explain the treatment.

Far too often doctors get into a routine and they begin to assume that the patient wants what you’re about to perform. Asking their permission to proceed not only relaxes the patient but lowers your liability because you’ve gotten their consent.

Never assume that permission has already been obtained by staff. Ask “Has the receptionist explained our procedures and policies?”

For gaining referrals, avoid the harsh “Bring in your spouse and child for a spinal exam.” Instead ask, “Many of my patients bring their family here for preventive check-ups. Would you be interested in how that works?” The best time to ask this is when the patient has praised your treatment. As Doctor Sid Williams says, “Breed them while they’re in heat!”

For building a wellness care practice, a great question is “If there were a way of preventing this problem from reoccurring and avoiding new problems would you be interested?”

At the end of your practice day, reflect upon it and take notice of how many times you asked questions versus issued advice and orders. The ratio should be about 50:50. Don’t be afraid to ask your staff for their perspective of your performance. They are your best source of input and will feel honored by your inquiry.

In this era of managed health care and busy lifestyles, asking for the patient’s permission goes a long way in gaining their respect and building a joy filled successful practice.

Dr. Tom Potisk has been a client of PM&A for nearly all of his 25 year multi-doctor practice. He now works with PM&A and is soon publishing a book titled Reclaim The Joy Of Practice.

Snow Days and Chiropractic Care

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In this short article you will learn a new disease and how to prevent it, how to not lose money, and a special offer for a free drink in Las Vegas.

I love snow days.

As a kid, if you lived in the Northern climates, or mountains, or parts of the world where you can get a ton of snow dropped on you every now and then, you know what I mean. No school. Sleeping in, snow men, sledding, or just cuddling up with a game and watching the snow blow around.

But when you are in the business of providing chiropractic care, snow days can cause the opposite reaction. Snow days aren’t fun, they cost. Sometimes a few thousand dollars in one day and momentum can be lost for a week.

Have you ever known anyone who got really agitated and complained when they were delayed in their travels by a traffic jam?  I always wondered about this. WHY? Why complain? Do something constructive about it, and if you can’t,  then shut up. Why be negative?

Same with snow days. Or any natural work stoppage.  Snow days are a great time to “Sharpen the Saw.” It is a time to work on important things that are not urgent, as Dr. Covey talks about.

Jimmy Parker, D.C.,  always talked about turning your lemons into lemonade, another way of saying the same thing. (Speaking of Parker, come to Las Vegas and hang with us on January 15 & 16. Free drinks for all. Oops. Wait, I got carried away. First 10 that respond to this! See you there.)
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Dr. Tom Potisk, Chiropractor Recommends Petty Michel & Associates

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dr-tom-potisk-18prct

Hello Doc,

My name is Dr. Tom Potisk. I operate a chiropractic practice in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For nearly 25 years I’ve enjoyed tremendous success in my practice. My practice, although not the largest, has been described as the type many doctors want to attain. Some features include excellent patient retention, loads of new patients, fabulous systems and procedures that allow me to take 8-10 weeks off each year, and a dedicated staff (my office manager has been with me since year 1).

One of the reasons for my success has been the management and consulting services of PMA (Petty, Michel, and Associates). In the 24 years that I’ve been their client, I’ve come to know their dedication, passion, and enthusiasm for the growth of the chiropractic profession and chiropractor’s practices. This group is the best value in their league.

Do you need more new patients? They have a marketing program to boost your new patients and keep the flow going.

Do you want better billings and collections? Their ethical, patient friendly systems are the best around.

Do you want more time off? The procedures they can put in place for you can keep your office running smoothly in your absence.

The best news in health care is that PM&A is expanding their services with upcoming seminars, new programs, and their trademark coaching and consulting services. I have attended their 3-Goals seminars and, like all of their services, their goals are designed to get you a practice like mine.

I volunteered to write this letter and want you to attend their seminars and use their services and learn from this extraordinary group. I’ll be at the next seminar and look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely and God Bless,

Dr. Tom Potisk

PS Feel welcome to call me if you have any questions – (262) 835-1767.

[NOTE: Our next seminar is in Chicago on Thursday, November 5th. For more info, go here, or give us a call at (414) 332-4511. Ed]

Avedis Donabedian, MD, MPH

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Hi!
I wanted to share this with you and hope you like it. Avedis Donabedian, MD, MPH, (1919 – 2000), was considered by many as the father of quality assurance in medicine. He preferred to call it “the process of ongoing improvement” in healthcare (much like our 3 Goals seminars discuss and the points Dr. Peter makes during his talks). A medical doctor and early graduate of the School of Public Health at Harvard, his work has defined quality of care issues versus the commercialization of health care. I hope you enjoy the attached quote from him. It applies as much to us as to all hospitals.

“I have never been convinced that competition by itself will improve the efficiency or the effectiveness of care or even that it will reduce the cost of care … Health care is a sacred mission. It is a moral enterprise and a scientific enterprise, but not fundamentally a commercial one… Doctors and nurses are stewards of something precious. Their work is a kind of vocation rather than simply a job; commercial values don’t really capture what they do for patients and for society as a whole.”

“Systems awareness and systems design are important for health professionals, but they are not enough. They are enabling mechanisms only. It is the ethical dimensions of individuals that are essential to a system’s success. Ultimately, the secret of quality is love. You have to love your patient, you have to love your profession, you have to love your God. If you have love, you can then work backward to monitor and improve the system.” –            Avedis Denabedian

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