If everyone's doing it, does it make it alright??

As I'm slowly making the transition from a student to a professional, I'm also starting to pick up the ins and outs of the business world. No matter what career you're in the question of 'how can I make more money' always comes up.

One of my friends have decided to terminate her physio position at a clinic that I also know very well. She is moving to another country but that didn't stop the owners from proposing a deal that would benefit the clinic and her financially. The physio market is absolutely incredible right now. If you're a physio you basically have your choice of jobs, even as a new grad. Does this make employers a little desperate? maybe...The owners straight up told my friend that they will give her a percentage if she would still continue to sign the notes and allow them to use her registration number to bill insurance companies. Physios definitely get a lot more coverage when compared to Chiros and Massage therapists. My friend was a little confused as to how this was going to work seeing as she was moving out of the country. The owners was actually thinking of faxing the notes to her to sign. Can you imagine the cost of doing that on a daily basis, eliminating the ethical issues behind this idea for a second. But wait it gets worse...

My friend, obviously disgusted by the thought of it turned it down and mentioned the possible legal issues involved if something ever happened to a patient. But being the money grabbing and unethical people that the owners are, they then asked her if she had any intentions of returning back to Canada. Not knowing the relevance of the question she truthfully replied 'No'. "Then what's the problem? If you're not going to come back to Canada then it wouldn't matter if something wrong were to happen to a patient and your registration was taken away". That was their answer. When she refused again, they offered her more money to conduct this unethical act. The one guy actually said "come on, everyone likes money". At this point I was speechless.

I'm disgusted that there are people out there who are in the health industry. I realize that this is a business and for most clinics the majority of the profits are from health coverage plans but to stoop to that level?? It angers me how unethical they are and I've seen first hand how unsympathizing they are behind people's back. I never want bad things to happen to people but I don't wish good things toward that clinic.

Here's another scenario that's more borderline:

I myself have been given offers to sign off on forms for clients to get money from their health insurance and use that money for other services like massage treatments instead. That I know is a common practice amongst the industry. It's not as unethical but does it make it right?? Many health professionals are doing it to make some quick and extra cash by doing absolutely nothing except signing off on a few forms. This, in my opinion, is abusing your title and the system. I know everyone's doing it but that doesn't make it right, does it?? Technically the client is still using the money to receive a health related treatment. It's not like they are pocketing the money for themselves. Sometimes the clinic feels the pressure because if they don't allow this to happen, some other clinic down the road will. Money speaks or in this case, Physio health coverage is doing all the talking. Opinions??

I'm positive this sort of stuff happens in other industries too. There's always a financial proposal to make some quick and easy extra cash. What have our society become???

Toronto Sports

When I was in Australia people always asked me what I missed about Canada or if there were certain foods that I miss. Food wise not really but there are two major things that I did miss a LOT. The change in weather was a big thing for me. Don't get me wrong I loved the warm weather all year round but my system was so confused for most of the 2.5 years that I was there. I would sit in class and go to write the date and think that it was July everyday. I guess I associate the weather with the date.

The second thing, and I didn't realize just how much until I got back, is watching North American sports. Watching Aussie Footie and cricket is NOT the same. In the 6 months that I've been back I've been able to attend some live games of my beloved Toronto teams:

My favourite team of all time, the Toronto Blue Jays. Yes I know you all think they suck and they kinda did this year but I still love them and always will.

Win or lose you must have fun on your team. This was Reed Johnson's first game back from the DL so Vernon Wells obviously had to initiate him while he was being interviewed. I love how often they do this to each other. At least they look like they have a lot of fun as a team.



Now this next team I had no intention of going to see them live considering how difficult it is to get tickets and how expensive they are. However I was lucky enough to have some connections and they offered them to me. Absolute sweetness...It's a shame they sucked ass on the night we went but the Leafs will always be the Leafs. It's so hard to cheer for them but so hard not to when you are born and raised in Toronto.

Good Luck this season Vesa!!! It's going to be tough proving yourself in Toronto.

Maybe this next Toronto team will do better this year. They had a rough start to the season but they've bounced back quite admirably so I had to go to at least one winning team this year. I've never been to an Argos game and I'll be the first to admit that I never watch football or even pretend to understand all the rules. It was weird at first seeing the Dome turn into a football field. It looked so different but very cool. The game was a lot of fun too. There were all these giveaways between plays and the fans got really into it. I must admit that it was one of the funnest pro sports games I have ever attended and the even won the game. WooHoo, Go Argos.

The only teams left are the Raptors which I can't wait to see and a lacrosse game which will also be a first. That's another game that I have never watched before either.

Drum roll please....

I decided to get out of bed after hearing the mail person deliver our mail. Without even getting to the bottom of the stairs I notice THE symbol on one of the letters from afar. I get a little closer and yup it was definitely from the Canadian Physiotherapy people. It can only have been one thing: my results. I was excited that the long 6 week wait was finally over. Regardless of the result the wait is over. Thank goodness!!!

I slowly open the letter and the first thing I read was congratulations in capital letters. BooYah!!! Mission accomplished...one down and one more to go. I was more relieved that I didn't have to tell my new job that I had failed more than actually passing. My mom was still home at the time so it was nice to share that moment with her. She gave me a big hug and seemed more excited than I was.

So now I will get to start my first job as a Physio in the next week or two. I'll be finishing up my last week at my current job next week. It's amazing how fast this transition is happening. I find out I pass and then immediately start working. I love it!!!

Crossroad!!!

So it looks like I'm sprinting right into an involuntary crossroad. In about 2 weeks I will either be unemployed or starting what some people would consider a dream job. I don't think the paths could be any further apart. The worst thing is that I can not do anything about it but wait and see where my destiny lies. It's a good thing I'm a person who likes to keep themselves busy.

Here's the deal: If I pass the written component of the registration exam then I'll be allowed to commence my practice as a Physiotherapist, as long as someone co-signs my notes. Then I will start this new amazing job that everyone is excited about. Sometimes I get the impression that everyone else is more excited about it than I am. Anyways, if I fail then I obviously can't start the new job and will be out of job because I had to give my current job my official last day. There's a new guy that I will be training during my last week there.