I know you have said it before that you work like 24 days a month or something like that. No thank you since I don't have to. I do have back issues that flare up and other minor nuisances physically in my life. I thought many times about opening more offices to raise my income and I have each time decided not to. Most orthos I know these days have more than one office and I get it that it is more difficult to stay busy enough at one location for most but because everybody seems to do it more and more have to do it because there are too many orthos in the neighborhood. Endless cycle. ■ 1/20/2018 I think you both illustrated how associateships are a challenge in Ortho and why I never want have an associate or be one, no autonomy and hence the initial question. An associate has a license and training that goes beyond a need to just 'listen to' the principal. The assumption is usually that the associate is a greenhorn but they can sometimes identify systematic mistakes in protocols or mechanics in an office, I believe we all have some. What is a bad habit in one ortho office is considered the opposite in another and we all intelligently decide on what side of the matter we stand. Principals are usually too proud to consider it a possibility that they may be on the wrong side. I believe the arrangement works when the associate understands there is much to learn and the principal understands they don't have it ALL figured out. ■ NickTi Member since: 12/04/10 Post: 11 of 36 1/20/2018 Is a bigger office always the best choice? Search: "Stay Small" Townies discuss maintaining balance in the practice, avoiding burnout and staying profitable. To view this conversation online, and share your advice, go to orthotown.com and search "stay small." This message board will be the top result. orthotown.com \\ APRIL 2018 33http://www.orthotown.com http://www.orthotown.com