Grateful For Teamwork In The Outpatient Office

The majority of my clinical hours are spent in the outpatient setting. Besides having the medical knowledge and connecting with the patients, having an effective team is essential for improved efficiency and better patient outcomes. Teamwork can also decrease errors. Patients tend to be more satisfied and have more confidence in their healthcare team led by their physician. For the physicians, a functional team allows more focus on medical decision making. There is more efficiency and decreased risk of burnout.

I am grateful for my team in the office. They are the front desk staff, the medical assistants, the nurses and the nurse practitioners. The team frequently includes another physician too. The team members are not fixed. Some days I may work closely with three members, other days may be five. Words cannot express how much I appreciate each person.

My team is pleasant. They greet everyone with a smile. Depending on who the patients are, sometimes you hear the light-hearted conversations which ease the patients’ anxiety. They allow the patients to feel more at ease. This starts from the front desk. When the patients step into the office, they feel the presence of a kind and friendly atmosphere. This continues with the medical assistants and the nurses when they do their intakes.

The team spirit starts in the morning. The informal small group morning huddle sets the tone of the day. We are capable, amazing and efficient. We will take great care of our patients and leave work on time. We ensure there is good communication among us, to make sure we do not miss anything or do things redundantly. We are assertive and are ready to jump in to help when there is a need.

My team members understand their individual roles. They are willing to work together. When we all infuse the team with the attitude of servitude, we are focusing on providing the best care to the patients. It is also easier to have coordinated and collaborative care.

My team members understand that, as a physician, I am the leader of the team. We are dedicated to work hard. They are ready to do their work, which makes delegation more seamless. The phone calls, the insurance authorizations, simple instructions for patients, etc. The more I can delegate, the more time and mental energy is available to make complex medical decisions. My team is a big reason for time efficiency.

My team chooses to be light-hearted. Oncology is a serious specialty. Many patients are very ill and some have advanced and incurable diseases.  While we are serious about each patient’s diagnosis, we take things with a lighter touch. We do our best to connect with the patients in a way they can relate to, in a way they feel seen and heard.

My team is not perfect and it is okay. I do not expect the team members to be flawless as we are all human beings. As long as we learn from our experiences and grow, the team is always shaping into a better version. My awesome team, I am grateful for you!