Last month, I had custom orthotics made for a
female in her 70's for treatment of
moderate/severe pronation. She returned to the
office yesterday very upset. She stated she had
gotten a "second opinion" regarding the
orthotics and was told they were "not the right
type." I asked who gave her this opinion, and
she stated: "Foot Solutions". She mentioned the
name of the person giving the "opinion", and I
know the person is the owner of the store.
The local Foot Solutions store is in business
about 10 years. In the early years they were
very helpful at providing good quality shoes,
and I referred patients to them, and made an
effort to know the owner. Things changed over
the years as Foot Solution went into
the "orthotics" business, and then diabetic
therapeutic shoes. I found more patients coming
in and saying they were told the needed
orthotics and other special items, when I had
recommended them to the store to find shoes
only.
At one point, I spoke with the owner about what
I considered to be unethical practices by her
store employees. I quit recommending Foot
Solutions as a source of shoes for my patients.
Now I feel they have really crossed the line
into unethical behavior.
I called the store this morning, and got a
voicemail that immediately stated: "if this is a
medical emergency please hang up and call 911".
The Place now considers itself to be a medical
provider? They actually think a person would
call the Foot Solutions store in the event of a
medical emergency? What is happening with Foot
Solutions. Does anyone else have such
experiences, and how did you handle the
situation?
Peter M Mason, DPM, Largo, FL, Pmmdpm@aol.com
