Whether you work in an integrated or standalone clinic, the world of health care requires you to be more and more productive with your time.   It has always been my goal to use technology and discernment to leverage my time to be more productive and free up more time for my family.  Here are some ideas for improving your productivity:

Have a web site

Stop answering the same questions over and over.  And stop repeating the same patient instructions over and over.  Use a professional website to share information about you with your patients and your team of integrated physicians.  My staff automatically sends links to all of our new patients to our web site’s back and neck care presentations (after obtaining a written authorization to share non-personal healthcare information via email).  Defer to your website for sharing much of the information about you and your clinic’s policies.

Get an extra computer screen

Several surveys have shown that an extra computer screen attached to your computer can make you up to 42% more efficient. Newer computers allow two or more monitors to be used from one system.  As I write this article I am using two screens.  On one screen I am typing this article, while I review surveys and other articles about this topic.  Try it; you will love it!

Get a third computer screen

Two is good, but three is better.  To add a third screen may require installing a graphics card into your computer.

Stop trying to impress people

Much of our time is spent trying to impress people.  Buying fancier cars, houses, or boats requires more money.  More money requires more work.   Learn to be satisfied with what you have.  The new definition of being wealthy is not having more possessions; rather it is having more time and mobility.

Read your email twice a day

Compulsively checking email or surfing the net is one of the great time sumps of the computer age.  Use technology to leverage your time without becoming a slave to it.  Try to limit your time responding to email.  Respond to emails with polite short notes.  If an email requires more than two paragraphs, it is more productive to telephone that person.

Cancel cable TV

My wife and I have never subscribed to a cable service our entire life and I guarantee that we have not missed out on anything.   Instead of watching TV or playing computer games do something productive or interactive with your family or friends.

Use mass transit

I take the train and bus to work whenever I can.  This allows me to turn my commute time into productive time.   I try to have devotional time on the commute to work.  Then on the return trip I try to redeem every moment of productive time by reading and using my laptop.   I should add that mass transit is also good for the planet.

Streamline your correspondence

In a clinic that interacts with referring physicians do not reinvent the wheel every time you send a report of findings or a clinical update. Have form letter templates saved in your computer and just change the portions that are required to communicate what is happening with that patient.

Do not over commit

Just say no!  Say no to things that are not productive.   Ironically it is frequently the small commitments that really gobble up time: The letter of recommendation, visitors interrupting your administrative time, the committee membership….   You owe it to your patients, your staff and your family to be a good steward of your time and focus.