Hi, I’m Tyson Franklin, and on this episode, I have a returning guest, Dr Ben Pearl from Arlington Foot & Ankle in the USA. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss patient psychology, adaptability in clinical practice, healthcare challenges, orthotic prescribing, and why understanding people is often more important than understanding pathology.
What Does Shape-Shifting Mean?
One of the themes that kept coming up throughout our conversation was “shape-shifting”. Ben uses this term to describe the ability to adapt your approach based on the patient, the situation, and the challenges you face.
The longer I’ve been in practice, the more I’ve realised that successful podiatrists do this naturally. They don’t treat every patient the same way because every patient arrives with different expectations, fears, motivations, and circumstances.
When Going Above and Beyond Has a Cost
Ben shared a story about helping an uninsured patient in the United States healthcare system. It was a fascinating example of how going above and beyond for a patient can sometimes come at a personal cost.
It also led us into a discussion about fear and how fear influences behaviour, not just for patients but also for their family members. Often, what appears to be difficult behaviour is really someone struggling with uncertainty, financial stress, or concern for a loved one.
The Importance of Reading the Room
As podiatrists, we focus heavily on clinical skills, but the ability to understand body language, recognise emotional cues, and adjust our communication style can be just as important.
Sometimes, the difference between a patient accepting treatment and rejecting it comes down to how well we communicate rather than what we recommend.
Lessons From the Good Feet Store
Another interesting part of our discussion centred on the Good Feet Store. Rather than criticising businesses that operate differently from podiatrists, I believe there is value in understanding why they are successful.
What are they doing well? How do they communicate with customers? How do they simplify their message? These are questions every business owner should ask.
Never Judge a Patient by Their Appearance
I shared a story from my own practice that reinforced a lesson I’ve carried with me for years: never judge a patient’s ability to pay based on how they look.
Some of the assumptions we make about people can be completely wrong, which is why I’ve always believed in having a consistent process when explaining treatment options. The treatment should be based on what the patient needs, not on what we assume they can afford.
Reputation Travels Further Than Advertising
Towards the end of the episode, we discussed reputation and how it grows over time.
I firmly believe that if you build a great clinic, do the right thing by your patients, and continue to improve your skills, your reputation will eventually spread beyond your local area. Patients will happily bypass other clinics to see someone they trust.
My Final Thoughts
This episode is a reminder that podiatry is about far more than feet. It’s about understanding people, communicating effectively, adapting when needed, and building trust one patient at a time.
If there’s one lesson to take away from this conversation, it’s that great podiatrists don’t just diagnose problems. They learn to read the room, understand the person in front of them, and adapt their approach accordingly.
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Do you want to make more money in podiatry?
If you want to make more money from your podiatry business and have more time off with your family, please visit my website at tysonfranklin.com to learn how I can help you make this a reality. Otherwise, feel free to email me any questions you may have about your business at tf@tysonfranklin.com.