I recently received another letter from a colleague who is giving up his office practice stating he was burned out on computers and box checking.
How do we make a better primary care experience for both the physician and patient? We need to start by realizing the concept of the transactional office visit being required for most services is a large part of the problem. Successful doctors have a large number of patients and the longer they practice the more they get (at least that is the goal).
However, there are only so many appointment slots available daily.
Thus the more popular a doctor becomes the harder it is to get into to see that doctor when sick and the longer the wait time while in the office. This results in patients ending up sitting at home getting sicker waiting for their appointment. Ultimately they may end up going to the ER, being admitted or dying while waiting.
Meantime the well intentioned doctor has to work faster, squeeze in more patients and spend less time with each patient. There is less time to focus on prevention during visits. The Doctor is now on an ever faster moving treadmill that ultimately results in burn out and job dissatisfaction. I just described my own experiences.
The very thing that made me successful initially including empathy, compassion and availability were now killing me.
I was trying to be superman. I built a large practice and was professionally and financially successful by all measures. The price I have paid running on this treadmill in just the past 3 years has been cancer surgery, hernia surgery, knee surgery, and 25 pounds of weight gain. I am now on 3 blood pressure medicines and one cholesterol medicine.
I love being a doctor and the wonderful relationships I have formed with so many of my patients.
I don’t want to quit medicine; Just taking medicine! Instead I want to help lead us to a better delivery model for all parties involved. Over the last few years I have tried to figure out a better way to take care of patients and myself.
I have already implemented in my practice many of my ideas which I will describe in my next posting.
Stay tuned…and let me know your interest and if you yourself have experienced similar situations.
Dr. Farley
Dr. Farley, you see my mom. I usually bring her to you because she has RP. We will be there next month.
I understand your frustration. We have a O&P/DME practice. We have the same issues. I look forward to your next post! Thank you for sharing.