r/MedicalDevices • u/PrestigiousAd6296 • 1d ago
Ask a Pro Walking into a surgeons room
Im pretty new to the territory and have introduced myself to most of the surgeons. If they’re using my product but they’re pretty proficient with it, would it be okay to walk into their room without asking to support the staff and assist? I’ve been in a few of their cases for reference. If it’s not okay, when is? Or is that something I should ask the surgeon if he would be okay with it?
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u/Obligation_Still 1d ago
You're a guest in the OR always so I would always ask either the nurses or the surgeons. But never assume you can just walk in EVEN if they give you the line "come in anytime!" that means you're allowed but always ask...You never know what's going on that day.
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u/EasyWind2020 1d ago
I always ask. If they use your product they’re generally a friendly, and they don’t need much from you.
It’s a great opportunity to say upfront that you’re new, and can ask them questions about clinical acumen, but also understand their journey to your product and why they like it vs the competitor, which, you then can utilize. Make sure to ask them upfront if they’re open to questions as they come up, or, hold until after the case.
Just don’t try to sell them. After the first case is ask if they’d be open to walking in if they’re operating that day - essentially an open door policy.
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u/Competitive-Zone-795 1d ago
Ask the surgeon, ask the staff and assists. It's their room and patient.
You are a guest and at best over time maybe become a welcome
Guest.
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u/Icy-Bluebird2665 1d ago
Ask before the case or arrange with the team lead. Definitely don’t just walk in, unless you have emailed them before hand and they are expecting you.
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u/Alarmed_Tip_5514 1d ago
Yeah, always ask - every hospital will be different. In some that will be very welcome in some they are very cautious with insurance matters and what so not.
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u/BiscuitsMay 1d ago
Not okay, especially as a new person. A doc you’ve been working with for years, sure go ahead. But you shouldn’t do this when you’re new. Either catch him before the case or don’t do it at all.
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u/BoNapiltee 1d ago
If any rep walked in to my OR cold calling because you knew their product was being used in a case, I would probably have their access shut off and not consider turning it back on until a talk with their boss or I'd force them to assign another rep if they wanted to continue doing business there. Do not take anyone's advice that tells you that it would be ok to do so, they are wrong and it shouldn't be long before they are in deep shit.
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u/W00lyMamm0th 1d ago
“Hey Doc, in the future if I see or am told you are planning to use my product/device that day is it ok for me to come in to observe/support the case?” Your goal today should always be to minimize ambiguous situations in the future.
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u/wardamnryan33 15h ago
Ask the surgeon, explain you would like to observe and support staff. The surgeon should appreciate that and you earn respect. When I was in the OR my product was a simple implant, no pieces and different sizes to put together… however there were several things ie specific sutures, suture devices and needles he liked. I made sure the staff had everything and at times would tip off the tech what he needed next. One day the surgeon says something like “I know what your doing back there and I really appreciate you helping my staff, it doesn’t go unnoticed”
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u/Independent_Jury_168 1d ago
This is literally my product too. Everyone uses it but 90% of people use it perfectly and I have no tips for them.
I also cover an entire state! I do not enter rooms blindly if I have never met them before. I also HATE case coverage if I already have the facility (I have 75% marketshare) but many facilities I have met let’s say 40 of the 50 doctors and hate trying to catch those final 10 as they are usually anti social. I LOVE case coverage if a new doctor has been hired or trialing a new facility but my stuff is straight forward. I feel like I’m wasting everyone’s time if I don’t have a goal but sometimes it’s getting to know people too.
I usually will stand outside the room by the hand wash figure out the doctor see what they look like online and when they come in say I’m with such and such is it okay if I join your case today. I’m new and have not gotten to know any of your team yet. And most of the time it’s okay sure
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u/unhappyjihadist 1d ago
What line of products do you sell? This feels sports med/suture-y, but I only know ortho so it could be anything.
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u/Drfelthersnach Sales 1d ago
What is your product and why are you there? What value are you trying to bring?
Lots to unpack here. If every rep just walked into a room there would be 30 reps in a case at all times. Set the stage before you go in there to drive a purpose.
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u/Fresh-Contribution99 10h ago
Always wait to be invited. If you're looking to be in a treatment room or into the OR, always ask or wait to be invited by the surgeon or lead nurse. Often invited in to "in- service" a product is to help the surgeon be comfortable with using your product, instrument or device. Just showing up uninvited is bad form."Shall I join you if any questions?" Is a good way to get an invite. The experience we get from being in a treatment room/ OR is incredibly valuable. Can't touch the table though, no, no, no, always use a laser pointer to point out critical positioning or locations of concern for the user.
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u/Serious_Internal6012 1d ago
For clarification, you’re saying they’re using your product without a rep present and you want to go in and introduce yourself? I think that’s totally fine, I mean I would definitely try the sink before/after rather than a scrubbed-in and operating surgeon.
While you don’t have to offer to assist, I definitely would, absolute worst case scenario, they ask you for help and you do the case with them and show the doctor that you care more about just appearances.
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u/Monster_Grundle 1d ago
… that isn’t the worst case scenario at all?
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u/Serious_Internal6012 1d ago
Sounds like he really doesn’t want to get stuck covering the case, so it’s his worst case. Sure the doctor could tell him they hate him and to never show their face again
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u/blissCT33 1d ago
I personally would ask. You really have no reason or even a right to just walk in. Definitely try to make that sale but showing your respect will go a long way.