The concept of increasing productivity does not necessarily refer to the fact that “time
is money”.
When it comes to practicing medicine, productivity means better management, and therefore saving valuable personal time. Being more productive in medicine does not mean that you have to work longer hours or faster. You just need to work better so let’s look at some useful tips.
Take Breaks
It is a fact that doctors rarely take breaks during their working hours.
Most workers, however, take two 15-minute breaks every day.
Do you feel that your obligations do not allow you 15 minutes of break?
Try to take at least one short pause of five minutes, 2-3 times during your working hours.
A good break should not include dealing with patients, but also adherence to a screen.
By taking these breaks outside the doctor’s office, you gain some more peace, so that you can be more efficient afterwards.
Get Organized Properly
How much time do you spend every day writing notes and looking for patient information?
Try innovative solutions such as using medical software to manage appointments, medical records, medications, diagnoses, tests, etc.
In this way, you will save valuable time but also improve the effectiveness of your practice.
Most software programs offer flexibility, customization according to your needs, while using an external application for remote and easy access.
The software offers specific text-filling fields, helping you avoid writing the same things repeatedly.
Each information entered refers to a specific condition, such as “migraine” or “ankle sprain”. When the text appears, you edit the details to make the note correspond to the patient’s appointment.
Stored in the software or in an external application, you can reuse them for as many patients as you want.
Delagate Tasks to Nurses and Administrative Staff
Working together and delegating specific tasks to the team will help you free yourself from the heavy workload.
Examples:
- Ask the nursing staff to receive the vital indications of the patients. Also, taking some samples for examination.
- Do you need to contact another doctor? Seek the help of the secretary at first, to avoid waiting.
- Communicate simple messages through the nurses’ or secretary (e.g., informing the patient about the results of his/her examinations).
- Always have open and accessible useful applications for everyday practice
Always Keep Your Necessary Tabs and Useful Websites Open During the Day
Examples:
- EMR (Electronic Medical Record) – patient records
- Your daily schedule
- Useful sites
Ask Patients the Right Questions
The course of the meeting with the patient is a procedure quite clear for the doctor: history, physical diagnosis, treatment, etc.
For the patient however, it is not always.
It is suggested to clearly communicate, record the symptoms but also ask specific questions to assess their condition.
Many times, patients feel stressed, while trying to combine the appearance of symptoms with possible causes, they create an interruption in the flow of dialogue with the doctor.
In this case, your attitude should be clear and unambiguous: “We will evaluate the pain you feel.
First, I will ask you and then I will examine you.
Then we will see what the cause is it is due to and then what we can do to help your relief”.
So, define the procedure, setting limits and clear questions to the patient.
Of course, assumptions cannot be made without considering the necessary evidence and physical examination.
Spend some time before the visit and reception of a patient, studying data from his medical history. This fact will not only save you time but will also help for a smoother visit.
Limit Administrative Tasks
Organization of meetings, management of schedules, etc.
These tasks add more to your workload. Learn to say no.
Of course, someone will have to perform these tasks, but if they cause you extra stress and you can afford to avoid these administrative tasks, do so.
Don’t Let Anyone Interrupt you During a Patient Meeting
Most interruptions during a meeting with a patient are time consuming, while at the same time are distracting you, causing you stress.
After a possible interruption, it is difficult to continue with counseling to the patient.
Despite the value of multitasking, with interruptions you can lose up to 40% of your productivity.
2 Basic Tips for Limiting Distractions
- Block all phone and PC notifications during business hours.
- Explain to your staff which situations may justify a break (e.g., a call from pharmacist to clarify a patient’s treatment).
Some Extra Tips
Be sure that you rest properly and sleep well. Keep your office clean and airy, as “chaos creates extra stress.”
As you can see, improving your productivity will initially require time, organization and of course, some effort every day.
The reward, however, is worth it: better organization, more quality time, and peace of mind.
