By Lynne Curry bio The first time you saw "Bill" appear to nod off during a staff meeting, you pulled him aside after the meeting. When you asked if he was okay, he said he was. You gave him the benefit of the doubt because he'd worked for you for three years and been a good employee. You knew he'd recently gone through a divorce and thought maybe he'd had a hard … [Read more...] about When an opioid crisis hits your medical practice
Working with physicians
Techniques leaders can use to diminish the Monday morning slump
By Dudley Slater bio The numbers are sadly staggering. Some 70% of American workers are not engaged and dread Monday morning, according to an annual poll by the Gallup organization. Many are quick to blame the organization, the working conditions or that old, tired industry. If only I worked for the next Google, that would be exciting. If it were that easy then why … [Read more...] about Techniques leaders can use to diminish the Monday morning slump
Is a national OB-GYN shortage looming?
A report recently released by Doximity suggests an impending women's health crisis: specifically, high obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYN) maternity workloads, a U.S. OB-GYN workforce that is nearing or at retirement age, and an inadequate number of younger OB-GYNs practicing. Doximity, a social network for physicians and advanced practice clinicians, developed a composite … [Read more...] about Is a national OB-GYN shortage looming?
Get in sync with your employees by understanding their value systems
By Lynne Curry bio You and your employees don't see eye to eye. You expect that work means work. But one of your employees, otherwise talented and hard-working, texts throughout the day, insisting it takes less than five minutes total time and "isn't she allowed a break?" Meanwhile your new IT manager, although doing a good job, keeps his eye on Craigslist. When you … [Read more...] about Get in sync with your employees by understanding their value systems
AMA launches campaign to maximize physician success in MACRA
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) promises to reshape how Medicare pays physicians under the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Yet, a survey of 1,000 practicing physicians who have been involved in practice decision-making related to QPP shows that fewer than one in four physicians feel well prepared to meet its requirements in 2017, according to a … [Read more...] about AMA launches campaign to maximize physician success in MACRA
When a physician commits suicide
The death of a physician or staff member can be difficult for a practice. The loss has an emotional impact on the people who worked with the individual, and the person's passing leaves an obvious void. It also results in numerous practical issues the office manager must address. But a death by suicide takes loss to an entirely different level. And when a physician commits … [Read more...] about When a physician commits suicide
Checking your smartphone can be a real pain in the neck—and back
A modern affliction has osteopathic physicians prescribing the selfie stance to patients checking their devices: keep your head up and hold the phone straight out. Tilting the head forward 60 degrees can put up to 60 pounds of pressure on the neck, according to Stacey Pierce-Talsma, DO, chair of osteopathic manipulative medicine at Touro University California. Tech neck, a … [Read more...] about Checking your smartphone can be a real pain in the neck—and back
Protecting your employees from workplace violence
By Lynne Curry bio On June 5, 2017, John Neumann Jr. brought a semiautomatic pistol and a hunting knife into his former workplace. He killed five people before turning his gun against himself. It's become chillingly commonplace for us to learn that a terminated employee has stormed into his former workplace and killed those he holds accountable. Each time, the rest … [Read more...] about Protecting your employees from workplace violence
Telephone, email, v-mail, meeting new colleagues: how to look like a pro
In the professional world, proper communication counts big. Any manager or physician who wants to rise above the competition has to know communication etiquette, says Canadian etiquette consultant Jay Remer of St. Andrews, New Brunswick. People expect every doctor to know medicine. How they choose a doctor depends on whether they connect with the individual. And what makes the … [Read more...] about Telephone, email, v-mail, meeting new colleagues: how to look like a pro
Why taking your vacation is worth the hassle
If you can't remember the last time you took a vacation, you're not alone. While American workers are stressed, they're not taking time away from work. According to a survey conducted online earlier this year by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder, 3 in 5 workers (61 percent) say they are burned out in their current job, and 31 percent report high or extremely high levels of … [Read more...] about Why taking your vacation is worth the hassle