Expand Your Practice with Anorectal Manometry – Part I

Open the Door to New Services for Your Existing Patient Base

Looking for a new way to grow your practice? The answer may already be there, sitting behind your waiting room door. Don’t turn a blind eye to patients who fail to speak up about fecal incontinence, chronic constipation, and related problems.

Many physicians refer anorectal exams out to hospitals and other facilities, believing that they do not have the patient base to support these exams in-house. However, if you examine your patient base carefully and ask the right questions, you may find that a significant number of your existing patients are simply suffering in silence and will benefit from these exams. The key is asking the right questions and getting patients to open up about problems. Then you can easily grow your exam volume into a thriving and lucrative new practice niche and potentially introduce biofeedback therapy to address patient issues.

Who should you focus on? The answers are not surprising but often overlooked:

The Elderly

Undeniably, people begin to suffer such issues as fecal incontinence, chronic constipation, and related problems as they age. They are candidates for anorectal exams to help pinpoint the problem and plan effective therapies.

Simply bring up the topic in a non-threatening way. Try mentioning that many people of a similar age have bathroom-related problems and inquiring whether they have any similar issues. You might also mention that testing is often done proactively to ensure problems do not develop. If you suspect a problem, distributing literature to any family members present also can help.

Children

Not surprisingly, children and young people are often silent sufferers of defecation-related issues. Chronic constipation leading to stool leakage can keep children out of school and away from social engagements. Yet, parents, as well as youngsters themselves, may keep the problem cloaked in silence. Young people seeking treatment for related problems will benefit from anorectal exams to diagnose deeper problems. Often simple inquiries about school and extracurricular activities may lead them to open up about digestive problems and open the door to diagnosis and treatment.

New Mothers

Childbirth can bring trauma and a host of problems related to the pelvic floor and gastrointestinal tract. Many can be diagnosed with an anorectal exam and appropriately treated.

Anal Sex Community

Men and women practicing anal sex may experience problems due to friction and over-stretching of the anal canal. Anorectal manometry can measure internal canal pressures and aid in therapies to address these problems. These pressures also play a role in sexual pleasure, and anorectal manometry exams can even help create a pathway for greater sexual gratification. Today, studies show sexual experimentation is on the rise, and anal sex issues may apply to more of your patient base than you think.

Conversation Starters

Additional great conversation starters are brochures and fact sheets focusing on incontinence and related problems. Having your nurse administer a short health questionnaire also opens the door for discussion.

Medspira’s mcompass® makes anorectal manometry easier and more affordable than ever before. The device is so compact, it can be stored on a shelf and is extremely affordable compared to traditional devices geared for hospital use.

More good news—set up is fast, and delivering exams is simple. With just a short training session, they can be delivered by a nurse or practice technician. mcompass relies on convenient disposable catheters, making time-consuming sterilization unnecessary. An optional biofeedback module is available, enabling you to expand into treatment for certain medical issues if desired.

Want to hear how you can build a lucrative new practice area through anorectal manometry? Hear from Dr. Farooq on how mcompass opened up a new revenue stream for Colowell America.