Bert, Yes, it definitely take mos to implement and to see how one is more effective than others but I like to comeback to this post and to update and let you know the progress to cheer me up. Also to give more weight to the persuasion. One friend has an idea does not mean much but 5 friends same idea.
A little demo here so you have an idea,our database count is almost 4000 after 3 years, but many of them non reg, moving from one doc to another. Extremely competitive, she is the rookie compared to others. That would bring database realistic number down to 2000. Not like smaller town setting, we have about 15 docs. We are friendly at meeting, but you know what.
I've read and most saying better to own our place of practice than keep on leasing it. Many of our local docs doing that, they own whole building not a single units, effectively good source of incomes, eventually, practice or not, full or part time don't make any different... Docs tend to be most responsible and motivation group of people ....
My doc is sensitive and very caring type so I don't think she could do what Wayne been doing so effective. That makes her time management harder.
We rarely overbooked, but some days all 15 min slots filled up and mostly seniors, seniors taking much longer and many new patients bring along 15 (dramatized a little)empty bottles to refill. Their meds were out completely and did not want to back to their long time doc...they would next month.
Dave, that what I meant 'charting seniors'. Not reg, too many problems. Some of our local docs have strict policy, if patients don't follow instructions and/or to difficult to deal with, they send out registered dismissal letters. Then they looking out for newbies. We definitely lacks in this policy enforcement but don't think we can implement that either or turn them away legally without receiving letters.
Also unfortunately our employees not that efficient, difficult now a day to get good people, solo practice could not effort a higher pay structures. I am not so sure about medical field but in IT, employees not loyal, to get a star performer you just give them more. We pay competitively but not higher than others. One local doc got a star off manager, he paid her double the rate! (he has been around long enough).
We still need to have more patients to meet all expenses and save for uncertain environment, at same time need to reduce workload so doc can survive.
So this topic not only to help to troubleshoot our own problems, charting one of them , but might bring about some effective survival guide for newer EMR using soloists.
That is why I'd like to see more comments from our friends.
To sum up our own problems:
Ineffective time management Ineffective charting techniques Ineffective supporting staff Insufficient supportive materials Insufficient capital resources Ineffective doc companion (that me, I need to learn to help more)
