By Lisa A. Eramo, MA Leadership, operational best practices, healthcare consumerism, population health management, and value-based care were among the many topics discussed at the 2018 Medical Group Management Association's (MGMA) annual conference in Boston Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. The event included an amalgam of thought-provoking sessions, each of which reiterated the … [Read more...] about 2018 MGMA conference inspires practice leaders to transform the healthcare industry
Managing staff
5 ways to sweat the small stuff and impress your CFO
Want to get on your managing partner's good side? Don't let the details slide. In a survey by staffing firm Accountemps, more than one-third (35 percent) of CFOs cited lacking attention to detail or sloppy work as the most annoying behavior by coworkers. For 28 percent of respondents, gossiping or engaging in office politics was their biggest pet peeve. CFOs were asked, … [Read more...] about 5 ways to sweat the small stuff and impress your CFO
3 dozen ways to handle difficult discussions
Clear communication is vital in any office, particularly in a medical practice, where there is a climate of power differential and hierarchy. However, many employees aren't particularly good at communicating, according to Dr. Susan Strauss, a nationally-recognized expert, author and international speaker on discrimination, harassment and bullying in the … [Read more...] about 3 dozen ways to handle difficult discussions
Managing political discussions in the workplace
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D., SPHR bio During the Justice Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, more than fifty percent of Americans admitted they had taken part in political discussions in the workplace. Many of these discussions ended in conflict, frayed relationships, and tears. With the current high-stakes mid-term election, employers can expect more heated political … [Read more...] about Managing political discussions in the workplace
What you need to know about complying with the FLSA
To be or not to be exempt from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)? That is the big question, according to Sandra Hoyle-Smith, a Texas-based human resources expert and employment law mediator. Hoyle-Smith notes that many employers do not calculate overtime correctly and in some cases have wrongly classified employees as being exempt from overtime pay when … [Read more...] about What you need to know about complying with the FLSA
Got troublesome staff? Five easy rules for making the manager’s job easier
Here are five easy rules that will make the job of managing difficult people a little easier—or at least make it go more smoothly. They are outlined by Monica Wofford, MBA, CSP, principal of Contagious Companies, a leadership training company, and author of "Make Difficult People Disappear." Rule #1: Address problems consistently Face the problem people. And don't be … [Read more...] about Got troublesome staff? Five easy rules for making the manager’s job easier
How to stage your office for improved productivity
Is clutter slowing down productivity in your practice? Clutter is a major distraction and eats up time, says Pat Heydlauff of Energy Design, a productive-focused environment company. "Nobody can concentrate or work efficiently amidst disorganization," she says, pointing out that getting rid of office clutter can significantly improve the atmosphere and speed up the work … [Read more...] about How to stage your office for improved productivity
How to painlessly review a staffer with poor performance
Perhaps the most difficult part of being a manager is the job of pointing out what a staffer is doing wrong. No manager enjoys the confrontation. Yet unconfronted, poor performance worsens. Here's an outline of how to take on that most unpleasant job. It's explained by JoAn Majors, a Caldwell, TX, speaker on people skills. Majors is also author of the book, … [Read more...] about How to painlessly review a staffer with poor performance
Is your waiting room costing you money?
How would patients rate your medical practice's reception area? Is it cold and clinical, or warm and welcoming? The waiting room is where new patients form early impressions of your practice – and, like it or not, these impressions influence their perception of the medical care they receive. Patient experience is a primary reason medical practices are investing in office … [Read more...] about Is your waiting room costing you money?
Role-playing turns front and back office staff into one team
When there's a people issue, especially when the front desk butts heads with the nursing staff, the manager of a Virginia family medicine group office brings it to light via role playing at a staff meeting. Afterwards, staff not only come up with a solution, but also draft and sign a commitment to follow it. The manager organizes the role playing three or four times a year, … [Read more...] about Role-playing turns front and back office staff into one team