For those of you thinking about working in a radiology practice, working as a team is the key to survival. And part of that team effort is work ethic. If some radiologists have different work ethic levels than others, it becomes a nidus for discontent. I believe that this varying culture of employees/owners is one of the biggest downfalls of individual practices. For example, an owner interested in maximizing income will not mix very well with an employee who took the job for lifestyle. And vice versa. However, when starting, you need to assume more responsibility, not less, regardless of the practice culture. So, what does it take to improve your practice environment? It’s pretty simple. Be willing to take that extra case or dictate that study without a fuss at the end of the day. One additional dictation can make all the difference.
If you think this is a ridiculous statement with no relevance to you, take a look at your fellow residents or employees. Who are the folks that are the most successful at your level? It’s rarely the person that complains that he has too much work and cannot bear to read another study. And, it’s certainly not the person who always leaves over work for their colleagues. Instead, it’s that radiologist who completes that extra case at the end of the day to ensure that the next person is not swamped. So, what are the ways that dictating one additional study can make all the difference?
How Can One Additional Dictation Improve The Practice?
Builds Goodwill Among Fellow Physicians
If your colleagues notice that you are helping them out, they are much more likely to reciprocate for you. Therein begins the virtuous circle. And reading that one more case at the end of the day can start the whole process. It can have a snowball effect on the practice. You never know when you may have to leave in the middle of the day for an errand. Now, you have colleagues that are willing to cover and support you.
Builds Goodwill Among The Referrers
Sometimes that extra case can come at the end of the day. Most of you probably know of that 5 PM abdominal CT scan for abdominal pain. It may be the responsibility of the person on the next shift. But, by reading that case and calling the referrer, you have established a connection. That ordering physician will be much more likely to send future patients your way when they need a quick read.
Builds Goodwill Among Staff
Then, of course, most staff members hate to have extra cases lying around. Reading that additional case may allow them not to chase someone down to read the case later on that evening or the next day. Who wants the lead technologist to continually nag the radiologists to take care of that extra case? That employee will most likely put a positive word about you to your colleagues.
Increases Overall Revenue
The more cases that the practice reads promptly, the more revenue streams can come in quickly. It may sound silly that one dictation should make such a difference. But, rinse, wash, and repeat. Day after day, you can significantly prompt cash flow for the practice by reading that one extra case. That’s 365 cases per year if someone reads that case every day. Do the math and figure how much that is. That can only benefit you and your practice in the long run.
See, One Additional Dictation Can Make All The Difference!
I think you catch my drift. It’s not just about the one case itself. Instead, it is about the goodwill and economics that you bring to the practice over the long run by improving the work environment’s culture. Imagine if everyone does the same. That is called practice building, my friends. And it is the first step to creating an excellent environment to practice radiology!
