Letters to the Editor - Feb. 7, 2005

Here, a chronic "no-show" can expect no go -- unless a deposit is paid first - Consider fellow-level AMA membership - Before and after shots on TV shows take advantage of sly studio skills

Here, a chronic "no-show" can expect no go -- unless a deposit is paid first

Regarding "Nabbing no-shows" (Article, Nov. 1, 2004): As an ophthalmologist in practice for many years, my "no-show" rate is fairly low. However, we do get some chronic offenders, despite our calling all patients one or two days ahead of time as a reminder. We also will call the same day, after they are a "no-show," to ensure that everything is OK, and to reschedule.

Should they be a chronic "no-show," we will give them another appointment, but only after they pay in advance for this appointment. Should the visit be billable to insurance, when they come in for their visit, we will refund their "reservation" payment.

There are very few occasions when we have had to employ this; it has worked well -- with the chronic miscreants generally going elsewhere!

--Harold J. Goldfarb, MD, Allentown, Pa.

Consider fellow-level AMA membership

Regarding "AMA announces new membership strategy" (Article, Jan. 5): Your article states that "[membership] loss is driven more by members who do not renew than by a decline in newcomers."

May I suggest that AMA recognize members with five or more years of continuous membership with a "fellow" status, i.e., Fellow of the American Medical Association (FAMA). Fellows then will have to remain members in good standing or else they will lose their "fellow" status.

--Chowallur Dev Chacko, MD, Orlando, Fla.

Before and after shots on TV shows take advantage of sly studio skills

Regarding "TV makeovers more extreme than real," (Article, Dec. 27): I guess I'm more like Andy Rooney: "Gee, don't you see something wrong here?"

Why haven't we seen these "makeovers" in the same lighting, makeup, hairdos and clothes before as well as after?

I feel the producers are presenting an erroneous picture. Of course, there are dramatic changes -- but look how they are presented before and after. I would not allow a TV camera to see me in this manner of dress, etc. Thank goodness my patients don't.

--Ronald Hill, MD, Carnegie, Okla.