Two spine surgeons discuss productivity habits that enhance their professional life.
Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses.
Next week's question: What payer trends do you anticipate in 2018?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, March 7, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: What are some productivity tips you have found useful over the course of your career?
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD. Founder of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: Multitask. If you have downtime during clinic, return phone calls. Try to do it during the day. Patients really appreciate it not just for the timeliness, but also because they know you are a busy doctor and feel great knowing you took the time to call.
Also, make lunches working or activity-related. Schedule a short workout during lunch hour or go through that stack of film or faxes while you nosh. Also, maybe reach out to your spouse and touch base or FaceTime a little with your kids. Even five minutes can get you through the rest of the day.
J. Brian Gill, MD. Spine Surgeon at Nebraska Spine Hospital (Omaha): Over the course of my career, I have realized that there is always someone who does it better in terms of an operation, clinical documentation, efficiencies, etcetera, and that is ok. Learn from those people and correct your deficiencies so that your weaknesses become your strengths.