Are You an Engaged Physician? 3 Tips to Boost Your Engagement Level
Feeling overwhelmed by circumstances surrounding private practices or group settings is not uncommon for physicians and surgeons. This is particularly true when considering administrative, staffing, scheduling, and patient care concerns. Physicians who desire to be more engaged with their practices can take a few steps that can lead them in the right direction.
1. KEEP COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN
Stressful relationships between physicians, hospital administrators, and other employees can create a negative impact on patient care. Team building activities allow members of groups or private practices to successfully navigate obstacles, developing an integrated working environment. Engaged physicians aim toward healthy communication between working parties, identifying conflict, and creating opportunities to address issues when needed. Open communication aids in establishing a work environment that is enjoyable and satisfying for all parties.
Communication with patients works critically to increase outcomes and satisfaction of patients. Physicians who communicate well with their patients exercise careful listening, empathy, friendliness, compassion, attentiveness, an open mind, and genuine interest in the patient as a person. Collaborative, two-way communication allows physicians and patients to be more engaged with one another, resulting in more effective treatment plans and better care.
2. CREATE WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Many doctors find themselves married to their work, which can not only lead to personal unhealthiness but may also eventually result in a lack of quality care for patients. A healthy balance between work life and personal life may be difficult to strike, but applying the following practices may help:
Practice Self Care
Practicing what you preach can be a challenge for physicians. Make a commitment to eat healthy meals, exercise, and take time to relax. Start a new hobby, or reintroduce yourself to an old one. Spend time with people who are not at all related to your workplace, allowing yourself time to “deprogram” when you are away from work so that you can be more engaged when you are there.
Set Time Boundaries
With many doctors working more than 60 hours per week, setting boundaries is critical to living a balanced lifestyle. Time boundaries also allow physicians to be more effective and focused when they are working, rather than offering scraps of energy when they are mostly burned-out. Physicians who perform surgeries in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are able to have more control over their schedules and function more efficiently than those who are at the mercy of a hospital schedule.
Read More: 4 Factors Physicians Should Consider When Choosing an Outpatient Surgery Center
Find Peer Support
Reach out to find resources that may help with peer support such as a physicians’ association. A quick online search or inquiry with local hospitals can help you find and gain access to these confidential groups that focus on doctors’ well-being.
3. HIRE THE RIGHT STAFF
A slimmed-down staff can survive for a short time, but thriving can’t happen until your practice is well-staffed with the right people. Take a good, hard look at your staffing situation, listening carefully to what your employees believe would be adequate staffing. Consider where you need help the most and determine if areas are best handled in-house or outsourced. For instance, connection to an ASC may act as a solution for certain administrative or nursing needs.
Once you have the right staff, remain engaged with the group by attending to their needs and being proactive about treating them well. Be creative in simple ways just to keep things from getting boring. For instance, try reorganizing the atmosphere where meetings are held, consider offering more interesting food options at staff events, and maybe even think about taking the occasional outing simply to build the team relationships.
From an educational standpoint, keeping staff members up to date about current trends and cultural changes in the healthcare environment helps to raise awareness and promote positive responses to change. Set the tone for an engaged workplace with a healthy organizational culture that thrives.
Those looking for better physician engagement may find that these three principles will be a great start. Physicians in Florida who perform outpatient surgeries may find that a path to better engagement can come from association with an Orlando surgery center. For more information or to schedule a tour of the Surgery Center of Winter Park, contact our office at 321-282-0561.
