By Dr. David Black bio A lot of contemporary literature I have seen in recent months has emphasized the need for leadership by the doctor instead of management. This literature defines the difference between leading and managing as having the team follow a leader versus managing as a function of supervising day-to-day operations. The reason for this emphasis is … [Read more...] about Helping your doctor manage the practice
Working with physicians
Vacation trends by city: Who’s leaving vacation days on the table and why?
U.S. workers will not leave work very far behind—if at all—during the week of December 25, according to Robert Half's holiday survey. Eighteen percent of workers plan to work the entire week. Of the 67 percent of workers who will take at least part of Christmas week off, 64 percent will check in with the office while they're out. One-third of employees plan to take the entire … [Read more...] about Vacation trends by city: Who’s leaving vacation days on the table and why?
5 essential steps to successful strategy implementation
By Nick Hernandez bio Oftentimes physicians and administrators discuss strategies and may even devise a strategic plan, only to see nothing come of it. The most common reason for strategy failure is that the team failed to build execution into their strategic planning process. We often see that budgets are not linked to strategy, staff incentives are not linked to strategy, … [Read more...] about 5 essential steps to successful strategy implementation
Communication dos and don’ts
Managers still spend a great deal of time communicating face to face, despite the proliferation of technology. However, because of technology, verbal communication skills sometimes take a backseat to written communication skills. Nevertheless, how you say something can be as important as what you say. With this in mind, here are communication dos and don'ts. Do Make sure … [Read more...] about Communication dos and don’ts
Why do some get away with sexual harassment?
By Lynne Curry bio Harvey Weinstein. Bill Cosby. Roger Ailes. Bill O'Reilly. Uber executives. And maybe someone you know. How can these men not "get it?" How do they get away with sexually harassing those who work for them? And if you're a practice administrator or HR officer, how do you protect your company, and your and your company's reputation? First, these … [Read more...] about Why do some get away with sexual harassment?
Three Ways to Approach Crying in the Workplace
By Holly Caplan bio For many of us, getting frustrated, flustered or just plain emotional can have us end up in tears. And it happens more often than you may think in the one place you hope it doesn't: the workplace. Turns out, 41 percent of women and 9 percent of men cry in the workplace and at some point in your career you will probably end up in tears in front … [Read more...] about Three Ways to Approach Crying in the Workplace
Concierge Medicine vs. Direct Primary Care
By Nick Hernandez bio The shortage of physicians was already an issue in the United States ... and then came the Affordable Care Act, which exacerbated the problem immensely. In fact, the Association of American Medical Colleges now estimates that there will be a shortage of 91,500 doctors by 2020. This added demand for healthcare means physicians will simply have … [Read more...] about Concierge Medicine vs. Direct Primary Care
Three ways to handle staff complaints
This Reader Tips idea is a triple one. It comes from a consultant and also from a manager, and it is three approaches to solving a single problem – dealing with one staffer's complaint about another. The consultant is Cindy Fondren-Muise, a practice management consultant in Peyton, CO, who has also served as practice administrator of a pain management clinic. And the … [Read more...] about Three ways to handle staff complaints
Employment Law Update: The Weinstein Edition
By Mike O'Brien bio Harvey Weinstein all over our news feeds Your news feed, like mine, has exploded with references to someone named Harvey Weinstein for the past few weeks. What's up? Weinstein is a well-known American film producer and former film studio executive. He and his brother co-founded Miramax, which produced several popular independent films. Several … [Read more...] about Employment Law Update: The Weinstein Edition
Defuzzifying dangerous company cultures
By Rex Conner bio Google's recent events have called into question its company culture, and the cultures of others in Silicon Valley. The questions swirling around the company culture will continue long after the current situation is resolved. With that news and other high-profile company cultures in the spotlight, it's strange that no one is talking about the roots … [Read more...] about Defuzzifying dangerous company cultures