Hello,
I'm a recent graduate looking into malpractice insurance, so naturally I first looked at the American Acupuncture Council's webpage. They lay out their standard arbitration agreement for patients to sign, and I'm wondering what percentage of practitioners use this form, as opposed to another? My reasons for asking vary.
For example, I worked for a well-established acupuncturist during school, and the paperwork patients signed looked much different. (That's not to say it's what I'd use, per se, but it makes me wonder what everyone else is using.) Secondly, while I fully understand why the AAC would want its clients using these forms as is, I know that many first-time patients come in apprehensive to begin with, and then this is part of their first impression of our clinic and acupuncturists in general. Basically, I can easily see how this could be misinterpreted by a patient, yet still clearly see the need to protect myself as a practitioner.
Before I speak with an attorney for specifics, what I am looking for is some insight into the impressions others have of the AAC's forms, or perhaps if you've decided to use something slightly different that offers the same amount of legal protection. Perhaps a "happy medium" of sorts?
Many thanks!
Joined: 2008-02-23