As we reported previously, practices are facing a dangerous threat of employee turnover in the coming year, with 34 percent of healthcare workers surveyed by CareerBuilder reporting that they are looking to leave their current jobs.
While reasons such as poor work-life balance and flat pay contribute to employee dissatisfaction, according to the survey, another factor to consider is the trickle-down effect staff experience when working alongside burned-out physicians, experts told American Medical News.
To help your entire team work happier, more productively and safer, consider the following tips:
Facilitate understanding. Liz Ferron, senior consultant and manager of clinical services with Workplace Behavioral Solutions in Minneapolis, encourages practices she works with to gather small mixed groups of doctors and nurses to talk about the stresses they face and how doctors and nurses can help one another. "There was an immediate impact of increased trust. They came from different training and had different personality types, but now they understood one another," she said.
Use team huddles. Spend less time resolving problems after they happen by investing just three minutes twice a day to hold a team huddle with physicians and staff, advised Dike Drummond, M.D., a life and career strategist for physicians."The receptionist can say who might be upset in the lobby, the doctor can say how he wants any open slots booked," Dr. Drummond said. In addition, use this opportunity to ask your team members how they are doing. You might then learn about anybody that is dealing with sick parents or facing other personal struggles."It sends a powerful message to the team that you care," Drummond said.
Offer help with external stressors. Once you understand employees' personal problems by talking to them more, you can direct some practice resources toward helping alleviate those pressures. For example, invite speakers to employee "lunch and learn" sessions to provide education on topics such as personal finance or preparing healthy, low-cost meals, suggested Kenneth Hertz, principal with MGMA Health Care Consulting Group.
To learn more:
- read the article from American Medical News