The American Psychological Association recently surveyed 1,500 U.S. adult employees and found that the negative effects on employees of changes in the workplace are not only far-reaching, but they may also undermine the very changes an organization is trying to implement. The survey found that American adults who have been affected by change at work are more likely to report … [Read more...] about Are changes in your medical practice leading to employee stress and distrust?
Working with physicians
Patient referrals: an untapped source of new revenue
Medical practices sometimes mistakenly believe that patient referrals don't matter. However, like customer referrals, patient referrals are an important—and often untapped—source of new business. There are multiple ways to make sure your practice is encouraging referrals. Here are several areas where you should focus. Family members and their friends Perhaps the most … [Read more...] about Patient referrals: an untapped source of new revenue
Kentucky pediatrics office finds these simple communication tactics can dramatically improve your patient satisfaction
When a Kentucky pediatrics office surveyed its customers, it found great dissatisfaction with the nursing staff. Parents said the nurses were too busy, didn't communicate well, and didn't take personal interest in their children, says the manager of the five-physician office. Yet the office has what she describes as "the sweetest, nicest, kindest nurses imaginable," and they as … [Read more...] about Kentucky pediatrics office finds these simple communication tactics can dramatically improve your patient satisfaction
In Florida, a wheel of fortune ends the not-my-job syndrome
A Florida manager has turned around the "that's-not-my-job" syndrome with a wheel of fortune that gets spun once a month and carries a dozen good items – gift certificates to car washes, movies, and grocery stores. The best is $100 cash. To spin the wheel, staff have to get nominated. And what they get nominated for is outstanding _____. The administrator of a pain management … [Read more...] about In Florida, a wheel of fortune ends the not-my-job syndrome
3 guidelines for building your medical practice’s budget
By Nick Hernandez bio It is once again time for medical practices to be working on their operating budget for the next calendar year. Unfortunately, too few practices actually take the time to create a meaningful budget, instead seeing the endeavor as complex and time-consuming, and usually resulting in something that won’t be used. Creating and following a budget involves … [Read more...] about 3 guidelines for building your medical practice’s budget
For personal success, get beyond the words and metacommunicate
Meta means beyond. And though it has varying definitions, in simplest form, metacommunication means going beyond regular communication to get the full point across. It means making sure everything – spoken or unspoken – gets communicated to and from both sides. Most employment situations are rife with unspoken expectations and assumptions, says Barbara Kay, LPC, … [Read more...] about For personal success, get beyond the words and metacommunicate
‘Dressing for success’ at the office counts far more than you think
Whether the manager is speaking to a group, to the doctors, or to a new patient, looks count, says image consultant Sandy Dumont of The Image Architect in Norfolk, VA. And Dumont backs up her assertion with research – limited research, but research nonetheless. She recently sat in a courtroom "for hours predicting which attorneys would win based on how they looked." And each … [Read more...] about ‘Dressing for success’ at the office counts far more than you think
The four elements of successful operational planning
By Nick Hernandez bio Physicians are well aware of the need for planning. Indeed, they devise clinical plans on a daily basis as they formulate the best way in which to care for a patient. However, when is the last time you spent time working on operational planning for your practice? Many physicians or practice administrators reading this will be thinking, "Who has the time … [Read more...] about The four elements of successful operational planning
How one irritated patient can start a social media firefight
By Lynne Curry bio Here's the scenario: One of your physicians considers himself "a law unto himself." When an employee or patient protests how he treats them, he wastes no time telling the employee or patient why they are wrong or where to find the exit door. You've tried for years to get this physician to take it easier on people. No such luck. You've begged … [Read more...] about How one irritated patient can start a social media firefight
Physicians report increased job satisfaction and improved patient care, despite more paperwork
Despite a workday filled with "too many rules and regulations" and hours spent on paperwork, nearly 8 in 10 U.S. physicians would choose medicine again as a career, according to the results of the 2017 Medscape Physician Compensation Report. Medscape's annual analysis of how compensation influences career considerations and satisfaction finds that the percentage of physicians … [Read more...] about Physicians report increased job satisfaction and improved patient care, despite more paperwork