Practice Management Pearls

Employee Motivation Techniques

Blog By: Kenneth Beer MD

Studies have shown that employees typically leave jobs not because of money but because of poor satisfaction or morale. Despite what most physicians assume, the underlying reason that people either stay at or leave a job is not money, but rather the sense that the employer does not care for the employee or that the employer is unreasonable or unfair. Of course, this is difficult for me to imagine because I am always reasonable, fair and sensitive to the needs of those around me (just ask my employees at www.twitter.com/beerde

How to Handle Difficult or Unsatisfied Patients

Blog By: Kenneth Beer MD

Dealing with difficult or unsatisfied patients is my least favorite aspect of being a dermatologist. Frequently, you are unaware of the fact that a patient is dissatisfied because he or she simply leaves the practice. Sometimes you do know because the patient badmouths and berates you on the Internet. Occasionally, you find out about it because the patient returns to the practice demanding that he or she be “fixed”.

The first type of patient (the leaver) is gone but sometimes returns when unable to find care that meets his or her expectations. It is sometimes helpful to call this type o

A New Look at Year-End Perks

Blog By: Kenneth Beer MD

The end of the year means that most practices will have holiday parties followed by holiday bonuses. Typically, these are based on performance and range from 8 to 40 hours of pay. However, with the economy in a free fall and many practices facing difficult times, some will have to negotiate the year-end perks differently than in years past.

My practice was weaned off year-end bonuses at the suggestion of Page Piland (Core Consulting, FL). He advised me to get away from the reflexive handing of checks to staff at holiday time and instead to evolve to quarterly bonuses based on the productiv

The Value of a Good Web Site

Blog By: Kenneth Beer MD

If your Web site is more than a few years old, the new year is a great time to create a new one. I loved my old Web site, but when I saw some of my colleagues’ sites, I realized that newer Web experts with newer ideas and newer technologies are indicated for the new year. Some of the social networking available may be appropriate for your practice and, if so, you need to find someone who is savvy about this. Patient education material should be included. Online registration materials and in some instances appointment scheduling should be integrated into a redesigned site. Before embarking o