|
|
|
|
| Articles from prior issues of The
Advocate November/December 2001 Multi-Exam Offerings Expanded By Med-Tex by Donna Hilton, Publications Director DURING THE AUSTIN CONFERENCE, I sat down with Med-Tex executives, Dr. James Greenwald and Richard Best, to learn more about their expanding consultation business. Dr. Greenwald became interested in providing consultation services in St. Louis and opened Forest Park Clinic in 1988. Beginning with only 2-3 doctors, the clinic added additional types of consultation as needed. Dr. Greenwald’s wife Camille manages the Forest Park clinic that now offers internist, neurological, orthopedic, pediatric, psychiatric and psychological exams, as well as ancillary studies. As Forest Park demonstrated success as a consultative clinic, Dr. Greenwald began to survey other metropolitan areas in 1996, which might be able to use the services of a consultative clinic. Texas was receptive to using the services of a volume provider so Med-Tex was born. It’s first clinic opened in 1997 in the Houston area. The clinic was able to provide a wide range of examinations and worked to provide good service: quick appointment dates and short turn around time for reports. Med-Tex then expanded into Dallas, offering a wide range of services, including opthalomological exams. In 1998, the company opened a clinic in Ft. Worth, at first offering only psychiatric consultations. By March of 2001, Ft. Worth was able to provide a wide range of consultations. As referrals have grown, the Dallas office has had to relocate to larger office space to meet its growing needs. Med-Tex is looking at satellite clinics in smaller cities across Texas: Amarillo, Abilene, Beaumont, and Port Arthur. In addition to the Texas Clinics and Forest Park, some of the directors are also involved with Lake Shore Medical Clinic in Chicago, which also offers consultative examinations. The company tries to locate near major medical schools to draw faculty members to do exams and looks for individuals who are team oriented. At all clinics, most consultative doctors and psychologists have private practices within the communities where they do consultations for Forest Park, Lake Shore or the Med-Tex clinics. The health professionals enjoy working with the facilities because the clinics meet all the staffing needs, such as scheduling, typing of reports, x-ray and lab services. The health professionals come from a variety of types: full time or semi-retired physicians and psychologists, and some physicians/psychologists are mothers with families who prefer to work part-time. Dr. Greenwald stated that all patients complete a quality survey at the end of their visit regarding length of wait before being seen, and treatment by the staff and doctor. Any grievances or complaints are handled swiftly with the state DDS medical relations officer and a formal reply is made. Consequently, these clinics have a very low incidence of complaints. |
|
|
