The best staff training, says a Missouri medical office manager, is the training staff give one another. At the OB/GYN office, staff do just that. They hold training sessions for one another on a "when-needed, what's-needed, and who-needs-it" basis. The office has four physicians and 25 staff. There's no set routine. The manager simply schedules an in-service whenever she sees … [Read more...] about Missouri staff train each other on solving the day-to-day issues
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Should you notify applicants they didn’t get the job?
Open positions, especially those advertised, often generate many applications. If your practice is located in a major metropolitan area or large town, you may receive a huge pile of applications, electronic or otherwise, in response to a job posting. Fortunately, not all job applicants will have the appropriate qualifications—otherwise, interviewing would become your full-time … [Read more...] about Should you notify applicants they didn’t get the job?
Doctors pay $1.1 million to settle genetic test kickback claims
Kickbacks for genetic test referrals has become a focus of recent federal enforcement action. The most recent case involves three doctors and a cardiology practice that allegedly accepted bribes from a now-bankrupt genetic testing company in the Seattle area. The DOJ claims that Natural Molecular Testing Corporation (NMT) paid doctors as much as $10,000 per month in consulting … [Read more...] about Doctors pay $1.1 million to settle genetic test kickback claims
The ABCs of Provider Compliance: A necessity in today’s healthcare climate
The word "compliance" constitutes one of the most under-estimated forces of change in healthcare today. Kathleen Hessler, RN, JD, CHC, CHPC, Director of Compliance & Risk, Simione Healthcare Consultants, says, "It may be a buzz word in many organizations, but compliance typically means different things to the board of directors or executive team than it does to the managers … [Read more...] about The ABCs of Provider Compliance: A necessity in today’s healthcare climate
Physician burnout, depression, and suicide: Medscape 2019 National Report finds little progress despite greater awareness
Burnout and depression rates among U.S. physicians failed to improve in 2019, despite growing efforts by healthcare organizations, hospitals, and academic centers to address the issue through wellness programs and other interventions. Nearly 44% of U.S. physicians reported feeling burned out, with female physicians 28% more likely to experience burnout than male physicians, … [Read more...] about Physician burnout, depression, and suicide: Medscape 2019 National Report finds little progress despite greater awareness
What to wear to a business conference
The event looks interesting. There are many great sessions from which to choose. And the location is ideal; in fact, it takes place in a city you've always wanted to visit. The biggest dilemma is what to wear. Are you nodding "yes"? Take comfort in knowing you're not alone. What to wear to a business conference is confusing, even when guidelines are posted at event … [Read more...] about What to wear to a business conference
Separate room for schedulers calms front office chaos
A few years ago, a North Carolina pediatric practice realized that the front desk is not the best place to check people in, make return appointments, and schedule new appointments – all at the same time. With staff constantly having to answer phones, the area was too busy and too noisy to give waiting patients the attention they deserved. People were waiting in line only to … [Read more...] about Separate room for schedulers calms front office chaos
7 reasons to consider a physician partnership
By Nick Hernandez bio Physician partnerships are often a great idea providing you give thought to how you will structure one and why you wish to create a partnership. Sometimes physician partnerships aren't so successful—so it is crucial to choose your partner well. This is somebody who you're going to spend a lot of time with and who, like your spouse and your family, will … [Read more...] about 7 reasons to consider a physician partnership
Social media is a double win for your medical practice and your career
Digital media specialist Brittney Overstreet says social media has given word-of-mouth marketing—the oldest marketing tool—unanticipated strength that can dramatically boost your medical practice or effortlessly destroy it if you don't know how to manage it. Social media, defined as the online method for sharing information with an audience, is used by many patients to … [Read more...] about Social media is a double win for your medical practice and your career
How to conduct fair and effective performance reviews
It may be the most common target for Dilbert cartoons, but the performance review is an ethical obligation for a manager. Every employee in every job setting wants to know two things: What do you expect of me? and How am I doing at meeting your expectations? A manager has an obligation to answer those questions, says Dick Grote, a management consultant specializing in … [Read more...] about How to conduct fair and effective performance reviews