• Revenue Cycle Management
  • COVID-19
  • Reimbursement
  • Diabetes Awareness Month
  • Risk Management
  • Patient Retention
  • Staffing
  • Medical Economics® 100th Anniversary
  • Coding and documentation
  • Business of Endocrinology
  • Telehealth
  • Physicians Financial News
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cardiovascular Clinical Consult
  • Locum Tenens, brought to you by LocumLife®
  • Weight Management
  • Business of Women's Health
  • Practice Efficiency
  • Finance and Wealth
  • EHRs
  • Remote Patient Monitoring
  • Sponsored Webinars
  • Medical Technology
  • Billing and collections
  • Acute Pain Management
  • Exclusive Content
  • Value-based Care
  • Business of Pediatrics
  • Concierge Medicine 2.0 by Castle Connolly Private Health Partners
  • Practice Growth
  • Concierge Medicine
  • Business of Cardiology
  • Implementing the Topcon Ocular Telehealth Platform
  • Malpractice
  • Influenza
  • Sexual Health
  • Chronic Conditions
  • Technology
  • Legal and Policy
  • Money
  • Opinion
  • Vaccines
  • Practice Management
  • Patient Relations
  • Careers

The secrets of my successful medical practice

Article

Small changes can make a big difference. This doctor learned to be a better physician-from his mistakes.

To me, it's unthinkable that a physician can't succeed. There's an abundance of work, and we're still very well paid for our efforts.

When it comes to building and maintaining a medical practice, though, too many doctors are their own worst enemies. I should know, based on my own painful experience. Experience has also taught me that it's possible to thrive, if you become your own best friend. Here's what I've learned about the secrets of success. Try them yourself, and see how they work for you.

1. Smile. Many doctors walk around with a frown. They don't say hello, and they're grumpy and grouchy. No one wants to be around someone who's always in a bad mood. In contrast, everybody is attracted to happy, positive people. If you have to fake it (a little), that's okay. Smile even if you don't feel like it. Soon, someone will smile back and boost your mood.

3. Be consistent. Return every phone call in a timely fashion. Make hospital rounds the same time each day. Report to work on time, or call to say you're running late.

4. View everyone as a potential patient. Apply rules 1 and 2 with everyone you encounter. I've often run into family members of patients who know me from "somewhere." My first thought always is, "Where was that, and how did I behave?"

Don't say anything about anybody that isn't true or you wouldn't say to their face. You never know whom you'll have as a patient someday. And remember, no matter where you live, when you're in public, you represent yourself and your profession.

5. Stop needing to be right. Sometimes, it's best to let others be right, even though you could correct them. Nobody likes a know-it-all. If a family is convinced that it was the extra vitamins they brought to the hospital that cured their mother's pneumonia (while you had her on three antibiotics), let it go. Be sure to ask which vitamins they used, so you can order that brand for your next pneumonia patient.

Modesty doesn't apply when misinformation would be harmful, of course, or in a teaching environment. Even then, teach gently, with compassion for the feelings of others.

6. Give credit where credit is due. If a nurse picks up a subtle sign or symptom that significantly affects a patient's care or outcome, let her co-workers know about it. Announce at a crowded nurses' station, "Hey, Sarah, thanks for catching that for me." Sarah will feel great all day.

Look for opportunities to give sincere compliments. Everyone in healthcare works hard, but most get attention from doctors only if they fail. Show appreciation when they do well and you'll be appreciated in turn, many times over.

7. Don't try to impress. People expect physicians to be confident, decisive, and intelligent, but they especially appreciate the doctor who's down-to-earth and humble. You have nothing to prove, so relax a bit; maybe even dress down a tad. Don't wear $1,000 suits and Rolex watches on rounds. Many people resent that type of pretentious display.

Related Videos
© drsampsondavis.com
© drsampsondavis.com
© drsampsondavis.com
© drsampsondavis.com
Mike Bannon ©CSG Partners
Mike Bannon ©CSG Partners