Having Fun, by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Wednesday, June 17th 2009

Warm hellos to everyone!

Ok...let's chat about having fun in your office. Remember? That's what
you wanted when you first started practice - before the reality of student
loans got to you, and the rent on your office, and the bank loan for the
office build-out, and the staff issues, and the new carpet that had to be
laid down, and all the other day-to-day "stuff" that somehow gets in the
way. Right? Absolutely.  

You are all inundated with "stuff", but you need to keep in mind that it is
just "stuff" and you are here for a most important mission - to help as
many as you can - especially children!

So....What is it that happens to a doctor when he starts practice?
There is a transformation that somehow takes place. All of a sudden, the
interne changes from a  pub-going easy individual to a very serious doctor.
Many wear white labcoats, play classical music in the office, and transform
themselves into some distant semblance of an MD they once saw, complete
with the sliding glass window in their reception room.

I say these things from experience. That was me! Yes, I had a lab coat
with bilateral stethoscopes in each pocket - just in case one didn't work. 
And 14 pens in the left upper pocket, complete with the vinyl pocket liner.
And an army of tongue depressors. And I had the letters RD emblazoned
on the back of my lab jacket in case someone couldn't figure out that I was
a Real Doctor!  And Brahms was playing on the office stereo system - and
everyone was comatose.
.....Until I realized that I was living MY life.
And that it was totally ok to have fun in YOUR office- and that patients actually
enjoyed my crazy antics and being teased.

Listen..BJ once said this: "Don't take yourself too damn seriously."

People like to go where the atmosphere is relaxed, where people are laughing,
dancing to the tables, where kids have so much fun they don't want to leave,
and where every patient feels that the office is all about them.
That only happens when you are relaxed yourself.
And when you are on purpose.

So...my hope is that you relax and let that wonderful child inside of you, out!

Have fun, be a nut - your patients will love you for it.

Here's what I suggest for those of you who just can't see the forest because all
the damn trees are in the way: Have a staff meeting and ask your staff
(or wife/husband/lover) what you could all do to let loose and have fun while
playing doctor.

What a concept!

Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel