As we take a toll of this year and prepare for 2018, many of us are figuring out the resolutions that will change something about our lives moving forward. Physicians are no acceptation to this time-honored tradition.
Here’s what some of your peers resolve for next year
Improving Patient Satisfaction
Engaging with and communicating with patients improves care, and compliance. This will encompass easier scheduling, answering questions and giving more quality face-time between patients and their doctors. Some physicians polled, stated this succinctly.
Edward C. Chao, DO, associate clinical professor of medicine, University of California, San Diego, VA San Diego Healthcare System:
“My resolution is to continue to use motivational interviewing to exhort and help patients (especially those with diabetes) who are ready to change. This starts with implementing just one change and then building momentum from there so patients don’t feel overwhelmed. If they’re ready and motivated from within, positive change will occur, and it’s less likely it will be temporary (like many New Year’s resolutions).”
Omar S. Khokhar, MD, staff gastroenterologist, OSF St Joseph Medical Center (Bloomington, IL):
“Patient experience with their physician visit is rapidly becoming a quality metric. This is my practice’s top priority for 2016 — to ensure that every patient contact with our office (phone, email, visit) is prompt and seamless, with respect for their time. We want patients to be satisfied with their care in their time of need.”
Mastering Telehealth and Digital Record Systems
Doctors are hoping to master their electronic health systems and make it more effective so that it helps to support better care and safety. Others are planning on jumping into Telehealth to reach more patients in outlying areas who may not have access to medical care and would benefit from such a system as well as housebound and critically ill patients for whom travel is difficult. 86% of physicians say that telehealth, including the use of mobile apps will play a major role in managing patient care over the next five years.
Russell Russo, MD, sports medicine-trained orthopedic surgeon, Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine (New Orleans, LA) says:
“To simplify our EHR and make documentation easier and quicker. Almost all orthopedic surgeons I speak to complain about the same thing: EHR is painful for the patient and the physician. It also makes previously easy to read notes look like a copy of War & Peace where pertinent information is hidden. I hope to work with different EHRs to find one where surgeons can put the focus back on the patient and allow the surgeon to quickly and completely document the encounter. It’s much easier said than done.”
Creating Work-Life Balance
Still other physicians site wanting to balance work and life to prevent burn-out. This may take the form of yoga, meditation or more time with the family- a reconnection with yourself and your loved ones.
Dr. Andrew Goldstein, researcher at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center:
“I probably talk to my siblings on a quarterly basis and my parents maybe every few weeks, at least once a month. I’d like to talk to my parents every week and talk with my siblings every month, to just stay connected.”
Market Ourselves
Start small.
Create a blog and post once or twice a week until you get the hang of it. From there, you can contribute to a chatroom in an area that is in sync with your services. Start a newsletter for your patients and prospective clients to engage and educate them. Make a list of the types of content that you would like to become proficient in. Start small and work your way up. If you don’t know how to approach content marketing, get a mentor or someone you can outsource it out to.
Contact me at Barbara@TheMedicalStrategist.com for a free 30 minute consultation.
Here’s to a happy, healthy, and abundant New Year! May we all grow, improve and fulfill our resolutions!
