Marketing to Patients
brockl
Description
Collection
Title:
Marketing to Patients
Creator:
brockl
Date:
2/28/2003
Text:
Dear Colleagues
I would like some feed back regarding the method certain prosthetic componentry manufacturers are using to market directly to patients.
I am sure you will all know who I am referring to as I explain further.
If orthotists are experiencing the same type of thing please comment as well.
It has always been my understanding that when I fit a patient with certain prosthetic componentry it is required of me as a practitioner to fill out and submit to the manufacturer a warranty registration card containing specific patient information (including the patient's address) in order to fulfill product warranty requirements and for product recall purposes.
I did not, however, think that this information was going to be added the data bases of the marketing departments of these companies in order for them to direct market products to my patients.
I have received several calls from patients who are angry that they are receiving product advertising cards in the mail from these companies.
It does not state on the warranty card that the patient information provided will be used for any other purpose than to fulfill
warranty requirements.
Is it legal for these companies to direct market to patients by way of the warranty information we as Practitioners provide?
I can't help but feel that there is a practitioner - patient confidentiality issue here.
Your opinions etc will be greatly appreciated.
I will post responses.
Please e-mail me @ <Email Address Redacted>
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Brock Loewen C.P (c)
President, Loewen Prosthetic Services Ltd.
Windsor, Ontario Canada
519-253-9797
I would like some feed back regarding the method certain prosthetic componentry manufacturers are using to market directly to patients.
I am sure you will all know who I am referring to as I explain further.
If orthotists are experiencing the same type of thing please comment as well.
It has always been my understanding that when I fit a patient with certain prosthetic componentry it is required of me as a practitioner to fill out and submit to the manufacturer a warranty registration card containing specific patient information (including the patient's address) in order to fulfill product warranty requirements and for product recall purposes.
I did not, however, think that this information was going to be added the data bases of the marketing departments of these companies in order for them to direct market products to my patients.
I have received several calls from patients who are angry that they are receiving product advertising cards in the mail from these companies.
It does not state on the warranty card that the patient information provided will be used for any other purpose than to fulfill
warranty requirements.
Is it legal for these companies to direct market to patients by way of the warranty information we as Practitioners provide?
I can't help but feel that there is a practitioner - patient confidentiality issue here.
Your opinions etc will be greatly appreciated.
I will post responses.
Please e-mail me @ <Email Address Redacted>
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Brock Loewen C.P (c)
President, Loewen Prosthetic Services Ltd.
Windsor, Ontario Canada
519-253-9797
Citation
brockl, “Marketing to Patients,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 26, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/220636.
