Minutus

Does anyone have any input on what their patients sign on at the beginning of treatment? I'm thinking of putting together a package for first time patients and am wondering whether to sign them on some kind of form.
Thanks,
Vera

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Vera Resnick RCHom
Classical Homeopath
Alternative Medicine
054-4640736

Vera,
This is a topic of great interest since I am re-designing my 'intake' package. I will be interested to see what others use. At present I use a disclosure statement concerning naturopathy/homeopathy for the client to sign (make sure they print their name, sign it, and date it), a fee form, a disclosure statement about the products I use for my family (since I order by bulk - and am officially considered a 'distributor' even though I NEVER sell products to clients), and a form that they must complete in their own handwriting concerning what medications/over the counters/ and supplements they are currently taking. I am also currently designing a more traditional 'check list' form to be completed before the first appointment.
I do like having at least one form that they complete by hand - since you can learn a great deal by their handwriting.

>
package. I will be interested to see what others use. At present I use a
disclosure statement concerning naturopathy/homeopathy for the client to
sign (make sure they print their name, sign it, and date it), a fee form, a
disclosure statement about the products I use for my family (since I order
by bulk - and am officially considered a 'distributor' even though I NEVER
sell products to clients), and a form that they must complete in their own
handwriting concerning what medications/over the counters/ and supplements
they are currently taking. I am also currently designing a more
traditional 'check list' form to be completed before the first appointment.
can learn a great deal by their handwriting.

What I have shared is for California where there is a Health Freedom Law
that defines what needs to be said.

In other states (and previous to this law in California), disclosure forms
did not necessarily stand up in court. You can't sign away liability.

If my memory serves me correct, in working, in the 1980s in San Diego,
with Jerry Green (Dana Ullman's lawyer), this was made clear to me. We
were working on these issues and trying to start a California Health
Practitioners Association. All that you do has to support your disclosure
- your case notes and everything have to continually be demonstrating that
you are not practicing medicine without a license. Sorry to keep harping
on this, but this is real.
Sheri
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Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath
Well Within & Earth Mysteries & Sacred Site Tours (worldwide)
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Hi Sheri,
I've attended a number of seminars through the past few decades on the 'legalities' of practices, forms, etc. and they all agree with you - it is indeed 'how' you practice (day in and day out) that is the prime concern. If you are in an area under attack by quackbusters (or even if you just have a single disgruntled client) - they can make your life miserable. No form can prevent that. However, a good disclosure form can get the conversation off to a good start - and very clearly put in writing that you are not pretending to be a medical doctor (if you are not) , and are not misleading anyone into believing you are a medical doctor (if you are not). So even if you are not in California and do not need to have the specific wording required in California, a disclosure form is still worth considering as part of an intake package - and I believe that was the initial question.