Seemingly countless frustrations and bureaucratic hurdles stand in the way of physicians experiencing the fulfillment of what led them to the practice of medicine—spending time with their patients and providing the highest quality care. Learn how physicians across the country are working smarter in their practices and delivering big results.
“When I was a young physician, only a few years into my practice, I realized that if I was going to stay in practice and thrive, I needed to change the way I organized my work,” said Christine Sinsky, MD, an internist in Dubuque, Iowa, and vice president of professional satisfaction at the AMA. “I realized that I needed to spend much less time documenting the visit and chasing after results and find a way to spend more time really focused on the patient. Otherwise, I wasn’t going to be able to stay in practice.”
Dr. Sinsky’s experience reflects that of many physicians. In a 2013 AMA study with the RAND Corporation, physicians nationwide said that providing high-quality care was the primary driver of their professional satisfaction. Obstacles to providing that care, meanwhile, were found to be major sources of stress.
“Taking great care of our patients is why we get up in the morning—it is not to enter into this vortex of frustration,” Dr. Sinsky said. “We need to improve the efficiency of the practice, and by doing so, to create the time to do the work we know is most valuable.”
Reducing administrative frustrations, increasing time with patients
Now physicians have found a way to minimize stress and overcome barriers to providing the best care: A free online series of proven solutions developed by physicians that can make your practice thrive.
The AMA’s newly launched STEPS Forward website offers a collection of interactive educational modules that help physicians address common practice challenges while earning continuing medical education credit. The modules include steps for implementation, case studies, and downloadable tools and resources.
Physicians who already have used the practice transformation series have seen positive changes.
“Before, there wasn't enough time in the office visit to get it all done,” one physician said.
Another physician noted that using these solutions led to a rediscovery of the “beauty of reconnecting with my patients.”
The 16 modules help you and your practice team improve practice efficiencies, including:
- Synchronizing prescription renewal
- Encouraging medication adherence
- Implementing EHRs
- Avoiding burnout
- Helping patients control blood pressure
“These are tools that will help you save time,” Dr. Sinsky said. “Patients will get better care if the people they rely on no longer feel beaten down and overwhelmed by the clerical tasks of the day.” In addition, these tools will help physicians reclaim some of their personal time. “Many physicians are taking one to two hours of documentation and other computer home each night. One of our goals is to help physicians spend more time with their families.”
Submit your ideas: Practice Innovation Challenge
The 16 modules available on the STEPS Forward website are only the beginning. The AMA and the Medical Group Management Association are partnering to conduct the Practice Innovation Challenge, which seeks the best proposals from physicians and entrepreneurs.
If you’re an out-of-the-box thinker, submit your ideas, experiences and learnings by Sept. 1. Submissions that are selected as high-value, easy-to-adopt, transformative medical practice solutions will be developed into future STEPS Forward modules and will be eligible to win one of several $10,000 prizes.
More than 25 modules are expected to be available by the end of the year.
Here’s how to learn more:
- Visit the STEPS Forward website to see the current modules
- Check out upcoming live STEPS Forward events
- Sign up to be notified when new modules and events are available
