The Likeability Trap

STUPID REASONS WHY PEOPLE SELECTED DR. YUL B. OVERBILLED TO BE THEIR DOCTOR. THE LIKEABILITY TRAP

1. Psychological Manipulation 2. Sales and Marketing Psychology 3. Making People Wait 4. Evil Handshakes 5. Head Nodding -Bobbing for Bucks. 6. Fear and Scare Tactics 7. The Likeability Trap 8. When No Treatment is the Best 9. Phony Awards 10. Word Omission -Follow the Leader 11. Gut Feelings 12. Insurance Ripoffs 13. Recommended Books 14. Children's health 15. Women's health 16. Healthy Gardening

Bonus Material:

1. Tips 2. More Tips 3. Even more tips 4. Get Educated!! 5. Banned Books! 6. More Banned Books!

"Patients that equate a likable personality with professional competence and honesty have made me a wealthy fellow, thanks folks." - Dr. Yul B. Overbilled

While the following section makes reference to quack doctor Yul B. Overbilled, the basic concept also applies to crooked lawyer Mr. I Ben. Chasinbucks and the rip-off insurance company rep. Mr. Robin U. Daily and for that matter, all other salespersons whose sole purpose is to separate you from your money.

If you ask people why they like or don't like their doctor it is not uncommon to hear the following responses:

1. "The doctor was friendly". Friendly is good but not enough to select a doctor. Re-read the quote above from quack doctor, Dr. Yul B. Overbilled.
2. "The doctor has a great looking office" is another poor reason. Who do you think is paying for the fancy office?

3. "The doctor was rude". Rude is not fun to be around but, hang on, you will learn that this may be a very good doctor that is not putting on a false front just to be likable.

4. "The doctor is good looking" This is obviously a stupid reason to select a doctor. After all quack doctor Dr. Yul B. Overbilled has been heard to say he is a pretty darn good looking guy and would you take health care advice from him?

5. "The doctor gave me free drug samples" Street drug dealers may do the same thing.

6. "The doctor seemed to be very caring and compassionate" Yes, those are excellent personality characteristics but, keep in mind that there is much, much more that is necessary including: technical expertise, diagnostic expertise and an eclectic therapeutic knowledge base.

7. "I can cuss in front of the doctor" This could be the most insane reasons known yet.

Quack doctor Yul B. Overbilled commented; "You can cuss in front of me and for only a few dollars more I will cuss in front of you."

8. "My friend told me to see that doctor." Personal referrals can be a good choice if the friend knows how to wisely select a doctor.

9. "The doctor was wearing a starched and pressed white shirt and tie and was wearing a nice white jacket." The actual person that made this comment left the doctors office with a prescription but did not know any details of his condition and died about a year later.

Comment: Psychologists have known for years that people tend to attach more credibility to people in uniforms, it's all part of the game.

Consider the words of Henry David Thoreau in Walden. "It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes."

The lesson is clear; do not be taken in by people in fancy clothes or uniforms.

When Shakespeare said, "All the worlds a stage and all the men and women are merely players" he did not exclude doctors, lawyers and insurance reps. Know that uniforms are the costumes for the play.

Considering the reasons sited above it is no wonder why the official track record of Dr. Yul B. Overbilled is: 12,000 unnecessary surgeries, 7000 prescription errors, 20,000 "other" errors, 80,000 hospital infections, 106,000 negative effects from drugs.