Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Economically this is a wonderful idea, but I would caution that there are few patients I see that I really don’t want to know where I live. Remember, if your home and office are the same, you are inviting patients into your home. Although 99% of patients will think this is wonderful and will not abuse the situation, the other 1% could make your life miserable (and even scary if you have kids). The temptation to just show up at the house whenever they need you might be too great to resist (narcotic prescriptions on the weekend, etc). Of course, setting rules from the beginning is very helpful, but having the buffer between home and work is very helpful in some circumstances. Home Office Ciao. My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home office. I am contacting the city community development office and my neighborhood association about approvals for this. Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! Sharon ______________________ Sharon McCoy , M.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Economically this is a wonderful idea, but I would caution that there are few patients I see that I really don’t want to know where I live. Remember, if your home and office are the same, you are inviting patients into your home. Although 99% of patients will think this is wonderful and will not abuse the situation, the other 1% could make your life miserable (and even scary if you have kids). The temptation to just show up at the house whenever they need you might be too great to resist (narcotic prescriptions on the weekend, etc). Of course, setting rules from the beginning is very helpful, but having the buffer between home and work is very helpful in some circumstances. Home Office Ciao. My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home office. I am contacting the city community development office and my neighborhood association about approvals for this. Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! Sharon ______________________ Sharon McCoy , M.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Yeah, there is no way I would allow patients into my house (at least not the majority of them). I had a pt call at 10:30 pm Saturday night for something stronger than the NSAID the ER had given her, and I have not ever saw her (ie, not even my patient). The ER just gave her a list of local docs to follow up with & she called to try to get something stronger (ie, a drug seeker). Now, can you imagine if a patient like this was to find out my office is my house & she could just stop by? Bad idea unless you are in a very laid back “granola” type of area, but I would not advise it in any situation. Home Office Ciao. My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home office. I am contacting the city community development office and my neighborhood association about approvals for this. Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! Sharon ______________________ Sharon McCoy , M.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Yeah, there is no way I would allow patients into my house (at least not the majority of them). I had a pt call at 10:30 pm Saturday night for something stronger than the NSAID the ER had given her, and I have not ever saw her (ie, not even my patient). The ER just gave her a list of local docs to follow up with & she called to try to get something stronger (ie, a drug seeker). Now, can you imagine if a patient like this was to find out my office is my house & she could just stop by? Bad idea unless you are in a very laid back “granola” type of area, but I would not advise it in any situation. Home Office Ciao. My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home office. I am contacting the city community development office and my neighborhood association about approvals for this. Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! Sharon ______________________ Sharon McCoy , M.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Sharon: I am for this idea as long as you know your patient population and don't actively advertise your address. My wife and I differ in our opinions so I have not set up office in my house, but I think the return on investment is huge. If you can manage the risks appropriately. Egly Sharon McCoy wrote: Ciao. My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home office. I am contacting the city community development office and my neighborhood association about approvals for this. Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! Sharon ______________________Sharon McCoy , M.D. Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Sharon: I am for this idea as long as you know your patient population and don't actively advertise your address. My wife and I differ in our opinions so I have not set up office in my house, but I think the return on investment is huge. If you can manage the risks appropriately. Egly Sharon McCoy wrote: Ciao. My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home office. I am contacting the city community development office and my neighborhood association about approvals for this. Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! Sharon ______________________Sharon McCoy , M.D. Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 OK, yes I am in a very laid back granola area so it works great. I never had anyone show up for opioids and threaten me. I did have some (few) on opioids though. I never felt in harms way. The worst thing that ever happened is that a guy in dreadlocks showed up to ask me for medical marijuana while I was gardening. He heard I was the "cool doctor" in town. I told him he needed to be an established patient and I think he sought care elsewhere.The home office worked great for me. You can always pick and choose who you would see at home. But it sounds like you will either be at the patient's house making a house call or have them at your house. Either way if you get a "bad egg" type patient you could be aggravated no matter what location. Manipulative and dishonest patients get terminated from my practice. I do not recall terminating anyone in my prior home based practice (had about 300 patients). I have termed some in my current practice (300 patient panel now). Hmmmm...OH, after our remodel (no electricity or plumbing in our gutted house in 1.5 years) I plan to see patients at home again in the off hours when I am not at the office. I plan to do group visits at home so I can do diabetic potlucks/cooking classes etc....PamelaPamela Wible, MDFamily & Community Medicine, LLC3575 st. #220 Eugene, OR 97405roxywible@...www.idealmedicalpractice.orgOn May 10, 2006, at 5:59 AM, Brock DO wrote: Yeah, there is no way I would allow patients into my house (at least not the majority of them). I had a pt call at 10:30 pm Saturday night for something stronger than the NSAID the ER had given her, and I have not ever saw her (ie, not even my patient). The ER just gave her a list of local docs to follow up with & she called to try to get something stronger (ie, a drug seeker). Now, can you imagine if a patient like this was to find out my office is my house & she could just stop by? Bad idea unless you are in a very laid back “granola” type of area, but I would not advise it in any situation. Home Office Ciao. My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home office. I am contacting the city community development office and my neighborhood association about approvals for this. Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! Sharon ______________________ Sharon McCoy , M.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Pam, Thanks for sharing your personal experience with this....but please tell me that you really are not without plumbing at home though! Maybe you can barter with a patient for a hot shower..... It is wonderful to hear everyone's input and different opinions. I'm currently trying to find out more about my neighborhood policies (we live in faculty housing on campus, so there are many sets of rules to follow) and zoning (thanks, ), but seriously considering pursuing the idea. If I would anger a crazy patient enough that he/she would go after my kids at home, I'm sure they could follow me home from the office, or find out my address some other way. I am planning a very small, enrollment practice, so the patients I see would be known to me, and I think is right, not publicizing the address would lower the risk of problems. & , I have thought about your concerns and will continue to do so. I'll keep you posted! Sharon At 07:14 PM 5/10/2006, you wrote: OK, yes I am in a very laid back granola area so it works great. I never had anyone show up for opioids and threaten me. I did have some (few) on opioids though. I never felt in harms way. The worst thing that ever happened is that a guy in dreadlocks showed up to ask me for medical marijuana while I was gardening. He heard I was the " cool doctor " in town. I told him he needed to be an established patient and I think he sought care elsewhere. The home office worked great for me. You can always pick and choose who you would see at home. But it sounds like you will either be at the patient's house making a house call or have them at your house. Either way if you get a " bad egg " type patient you could be aggravated no matter what location. Manipulative and dishonest patients get terminated from my practice. I do not recall terminating anyone in my prior home based practice (had about 300 patients). I have termed some in my current practice (300 patient panel now). Hmmmm... OH, after our remodel (no electricity or plumbing in our gutted house in 1.5 years) I plan to see patients at home again in the off hours when I am not at the office. I plan to do group visits at home so I can do diabetic potlucks/cooking classes etc.... Pamela Pamela Wible, MD Family & Community Medicine, LLC 3575 st. #220 Eugene, OR 97405 roxywible@... www.idealmedicalpractice.org Yeah, there is no way I would allow patients into my house (at least not the majority of them). I had a pt call at 10:30 pm Saturday night for something stronger than the NSAID the ER had given her, and I have not ever saw her (ie, not even my patient). The ER just gave her a list of local docs to follow up with & she called to try to get something stronger (ie, a drug seeker). Now, can you imagine if a patient like this was to find out my office is my house & she could just stop by? Bad idea unless you are in a very laid back “granola” type of area, but I would not advise it in any situation. Home Office Ciao. My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home office. I am contacting the city community development office and my neighborhood association about approvals for this. Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! Sharon ______________________ Sharon McCoy , M.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Sharon- I definitely considered this and contacted the town I live in for approval. Their particular regulations were: the space has to be your main home; no more than one employee; at least 2 off street parking spaces available; and ADA handicapped accessible entrance/bathroom/space. I nixed the idea because I would have had to plow through some prime garden space to end up with a walkway that rises no more than 1' per 3 horizontal feet to set up a handicapped accessible entrance. (I refuse to move all those bamboos and small trees again!). However, a friend of mine who set up a small practice in a town north of me gets around the ADA requirement by doing home visits on people who can't get up her stairs. (No such loophole exists in my town). The point being that zoning is very town dependent so check your local regulations. Pros include: no rent, home office tax deduction, able to keep working when the kids are sick, no commute, able to work in the garden when patients miss appointments Cons include: problems if your boundaries with patients are not firm, loss of privacy, possibly some saftey issues if you are home alone, isolation, cabin fever, less 'legitimacy' when you are first setting up your practice (this probably doesn't matter that much after the first 1.5 years). Still may do it in a few years if I get motivated about the plants, and ripped enough leasing in the high rent district that I live in. Lynn > >Reply-To: >To: " " @relay2.es.uci.edu >Subject: Home Office >Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 10:58:35 +0200 > >Ciao. > My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am >considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want >to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I >could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 >patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home >office. > I am contacting the city community development office and my >neighborhood association about approvals for this. > Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? > For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my >area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to >keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! > Sharon > >______________________ >Sharon McCoy , M.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 I think you have already considered this – many residential codes/covenenats forbid running a business out of the home that involves people coming to your home for business purposes (traffic, parking, etc) A. Eads, M.D. Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC phone fax P.O. Box 7275 Woodland Park, CO 80863 From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sharon McCoy Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 2:59 AM To: " " @relay2.es.uci.edu Subject: Home Office Ciao. My practice is going to be predominantly house calls, but I am considering using an office in my house to see patients that need or want to be seen in an office. Our house is actually set up perfectly and I could easily set up a separate entrance. I am anticipating less than 4 patients per day (probably a lot less for awhile) to be seen in my home office. I am contacting the city community development office and my neighborhood association about approvals for this. Has anyone else considered this? Tried it? Doing it now? For me it would solve the problem of the extremely high rent in my area coupled with my plans for a very low volume office, with the desire to keep overhead low. Plus I love the idea of driving less! Sharon ______________________ Sharon McCoy , M.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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