On Board with Baby

Big Ideas for Small Practices

The policies and programs at large institutions can be adapted to fit even small-town rheumatology practices. Here are some tips to bringing balance to your practice.

• Make work–life balance a priority: There are many creative ways to make this work. A good starting point is your local hospital. Upon investigation, you may discover that many support programs already exist in your area. If they don’t, you will likely discover that other physicians in your area have a mutual interest in creating such programs. Working together, you can duplicate some of the support systems available at much larger practices and institutions.
• Share the load: Consider job-sharing for clerical and nursing staff. For example, hire two part-time people to fill one full-time position. It may be feasible to cross-train staff between offices of different specialties to providing emergency coverage when necessary. With an open mind and some pre-planning and creativity, you can find mutually beneficial staffing solutions.
• Be flexible: Arranging for physician coverage, especially long-term, can be more challenging than staff coverage. It may involve covering a little more geographic distance or a more flexible patient schedule. The keys: Be prepared, communicate, and plan for absences—both expected and unexpected—before they occur.
• Reap the rewards: Time and effort invested in ensuring a work environment that respects and supports the family will be rewarded with a less stressed and more productive staff. Staff members are then free to spend their time at work focused on their work—and on the common goal of quality patient care.

Dr. Suter feels these things contribute to a parallel understanding among colleagues and patients alike, creating a very supportive environment.