Despite the benefits of working in a group practice, physicians often underestimate the challenges that come with working as a team. Medical practices that stick together prioritize the following initiatives:
- Divide “common duties” evenly. Rather than delegating non-patient-care work based on seniority, happy groups rotate chores, such as accounting tasks or purchasing equipment.
- Continuous communication improvement. Whenever there is a big crisis within a group, it was when the group no longer took the time to communicate. How is the communication within your own group?
- Clear contracts. Instead of debating how to solve problems when they emerge, practices can preempt conflict by creating a clear contract that all partners understand. Groups should take the time to create what essentially amounts to a “medical partnership prenup,” preparing the group for every possible contingency should a doctor leave the practice, such as managed care contracts, electronic health records and much more.
Despite the benefits of working in a group practice, physicians often underestimate the challenges that come with working as a team. Medical practices that stick together prioritize the following initiatives:
- Divide “common duties” evenly. Rather than delegating non-patient-care work based on seniority, happy groups rotate chores, such as accounting tasks or purchasing equipment.
- Continuous communication improvement. Whenever there is a big crisis within a group, it was when the group no longer took the time to communicate. How is the communication within your own group?
- Clear contracts. Instead of debating how to solve problems when they emerge, practices can preempt conflict by creating a clear contract that all partners understand. Groups should take the time to create what essentially amounts to a “medical partnership prenup,” preparing the group for every possible contingency should a doctor leave the practice, such as managed care contracts, electronic health records and much more.
Have questions? I’m here to help.
