5 Easy Ways Doctors Can Save Time

Time is an especially important resource for a doctor. Having enough of it means you can see more patients, work more efficiently, and do your job as effectively as possible. Unfortunately, time is also something that can be hard to come by, especially for those in the medical profession.

Luckily, there are some techniques that doctors can utilize in order to save time in certain areas, freeing up more time in others. Below are five such practices you can use in order to make the most of the time you have. There are only 24 hours in a day, and it’s imperative you use each one in the best way possible.

     1. Use Visual Aids to Explain Complex Concepts

The human body is a complex system that functions in ways that can be difficult to understand. This is especially true for people who are untrained in medicine, as the majority of your patients are likely to be.

Explaining complex medical terminology, concepts, and disorders can be time-consuming. Using a visual aid—be it a printout, a diagram on a computer, or a cartoon on an iPad for younger patients—can be a great way to allow patients to more easily understand what might otherwise take a long time to explain.

     2. Make Your Website as Detailed as Possible

Often times, patients call up with questions that might not necessarily warrant a phone call. From average waiting times to requests for directions, there is a multitude of reasons a person might feel the need to pick up the phone.

Cut down on the time receptionists, doctors, and nurses all end up spending on the phone by ensuring this information is clearly displayed on your office’s website. Consider including an FAQ section with information about costs and protocols. Add in a location page with a map and simple directions.

     3. Outsource Admin Work

You likely already have a receptionist to help you handle paperwork, phone calls, and other miscellaneous tasks. Most doctors see this as a necessity, in order for them to be able to spend as much time attending to patients as possible. But have you considered outsourcing any of your other business-related tasks?

Hiring accounting services could help you to save not only time but money, too. Most services can help you with your tax returns, your bookkeeping, and much more.

     4. Institute Morning Meetings

Although on its face this may seem like something that is actually taking up more time, the time-saving potential of a morning meeting is huge. Meeting for even 10 minutes with your entire office at the beginning of each day can help you to identify possible bottlenecks, double bookings, miscommunications, or any other possibility for error.

     5. Arrive at the Office Early

Similar to point 4, giving yourself a little time at the beginning of the day is a great way for you to get to grips with the running order of things. You can make sure you and the office are prepped for the day ahead.

Going over the schedule for the day each morning ensures everyone knows what they’re doing, when, and for how long. This eliminates possible mistakes and the potential for time-wasting.

Save Time and Save Lives

Making ample time to see every patient is one of the most important parts of being a good doctor. Using creative ways to save time will make your job easier and make your patient’s overall quality of life better, too.

If you’ve found this content interesting, don’t forget to check out some of our other articles.