I recently read an article on LinkedIn a few weeks ago and I was very intrigued. The article was about a family practice physician’s day from the first appointment to the last. Now I know we’ve all been to the doctor before, whether it was as a child or as an adult. The difference between being a child or adult was whether or not we cared about sitting in the waiting room for hours. As we become adults, our lives become busier with jobs, responsibilities, and commitments. We rarely have the time to sit and wait for an extended period of time for a visit to the doctor.
The article was written from the perspective of the physician. She grew up in a household that was always on time, if not early to everything. This trait had been instilled in her and she continues even to the current day. However, she talks about a normal day and how in her profession as a physician, she is late every single day. She explains different patient situations, from the very first patient being a little late to a more complicated patient who needs more time then scheduled. All in all, she ended with the fact she is late everyday which frustrates her but would never send a patient away without proper treatment or diagnosis.
Now I know, with our busy lives, we may not always be able to arrive at the doctor’s office before our appointment but I don’t think this is the issue here. I feel it all starts with the screening process. Knowing the patient and fully understanding his/her need to visit will better help assist a nurse or secretary schedule the appointment and allow for proper time management. Speaking with the patient may take longer to schedule the appointment but at the end of the day it will benefit both the patient and clinic with time management.
As a physician recruiter, I take pride being able to assist a physician in their practice search. Whether they’re looking for a locum tenens or permanent position, I ask them all the same questions. I like to gain a full understanding for what the physician is actually interested in so I don’t waste their time listing all opportunities I have when 90% of them won’t appeal to them. I know physicians receive multiple calls and emails from many recruiters nationwide and taking time to speak with each one of them can be time consuming. But if you’re actively searching for a position, you can find out which recruiters out there will work with you to provide you the best opportunity that you would be interested in all by the questions they ask or don’t ask. Seek out the 10% that will work with you not against you. Presenting one or two opportunities that I know will actually appeal to you takes a lot less time then you having to say no ten times.
As busy as a physician’s schedule gets daily, if you are actively searching for a change, find the best time that works for you to provide detailed information. In the long run, it will be more beneficial with your practice search and you will have a better experience overall.
Jon Clay started with Aureus Medical Group in February 2013. He works as a Physician Search Consultant for the Physicians Division, actively recruiting and maintaining relationships with physicians in order to place them in locum tenens or permanent placement. In his free time, Jon enjoys singing, working out/running, and spending time with friends.