Stress has become a common factor in every household and business and we all need someone or something to lighten our loads so the weight of the world isn’t resting on our shoulders. This article focuses on physicians and how the support staff and the practice manager can ease their stress levels. The myriad incentives, programs and guidelines cause great concern and stress among physicians who strive to continue providing quality patient care amidst multiple demands. Perhaps this author’s ideas will reduce the stress for the physician as well as the entire staff.
- Don’t wait – As soon as you see changes in your providers, pull them aside and talk it out. Ask, “What can I do to lighten your load?” Together, you can work out a plan that will benefit everyone.
- Walk the talk – Let your staff know that their health and welfare are a top concern. Check in with them often to see if there is anything you can do to streamline processes and keep things running smoothly.
- Work smarter – Make sure the work schedule is realistic for your docs, that they have enough time to spend with each patient. Of course, we need to balance that with making sure they aren’t constantly running behind for the next appointment. Perhaps your front staff can remind patients how vital it is for them to be on time for appointments.
- Take time for yourself – It’s important to balance work with down-time, so throughout the day, don’t forget to schedule “you time.” Whether it’s a walk around the block, catching up on leisure reading, hitting the gym during lunch, do whatever will give you that joy to finish up the day.
There’s an old saying, “A happy wife is a happy life.” The same thing can be said about an organization.