The other E&M guidelines: etiquette and manners

Practice Management. By Pamela Lewis Dolan, AMNews staff. Dec. 25, 2006.

Everything cosmetic surgeon Amiya Prasad, MD, has learned about manners in the business world has come through experience.

"When you go to med school, you are not being exposed to that aspect," said Dr. Prasad, medical director of Le Visage, a cosmetic and implant dentistry practice in New York. "You don't learn business or networking or those other important aspects to being a doctor, so certainly that can put you at somewhat of a disadvantage."

A growing number of etiquette experts are trying to fill this gap. Just as physicians can hire consultants to handle their financial and technology questions, they can now hire etiquette consultants who can teach skills from knowing when to talk shop -- and when not to -- to knowing which fork is for the salad. Etiquette experts usually charge $1,000 or more to lead half-day or full-day sessions. However, the experts will see physicians in groups, so a doctor could invite others along to divide that cost.

People expect physicians to be refined, said Kathleen Pagana, PhD, RN, an independent etiquette consultant from Williamsport, Pa. How a physician practices the social graces can reflect upon his or her practice, she said.

"When people see a refined physician, they can only assume their practice is refined." Dr. Pagana said. "But if you're a slob when you're eating, they think you're a slob in the office."

Kate Zabriskie, founder of Port Tobacco, Md.-based Business Training Works Inc., which trains physicians and corporations on so-called "soft skills" such as etiquette and public speaking, said physicians are uncomfortable asking for help with something as basic as etiquette. And even though most know better than to talk loudly on a cell phone at the dinner table or berate the wait staff, many are making mistakes they are not even aware of, she said.