Ep 176 Stop drowning in charts with Dr. Sarah Smith

Summary In this interview, Dr. Sarah Smith, a rural family physician and charting coach, shared valuable insights about improving clinical efficiency and patient care. Dr. Smith discussed common challenges faced by surgeons in clinic settings, including high patient volume, time management, and staff delegation. She emphasized the importance of effective communication with clinic staff, proper delegation, and creating standard operating procedures. Dr. Smith also highlighted strategies for managing patient encounters more efficiently, including integrating note-taking into patient visits and prioritizing tasks. The discussion covered both clinical workflow optimization and staff management, providing practical solutions for improving surgical practice efficiency. Dr. Smith introduced her program 'Charting Champions' and the 'Sustainable Clinical Medicine' podcast as resources for further support and development. Chapters Introduction to Dr. Sarah Smith and Clinic Challenges Dr. Sarah Smith introduced herself as a rural family physician working in various capacities including emergency and hospitalist roles. She discussed common challenges in surgical clinics, including high patient volume, staff interruptions, and time constraints. Staff Delegation and Management Dr. Smith emphasized the importance of understanding staff capabilities and creating a common goal. She discussed how to identify staff strengths and weaknesses, and the importance of developing standard operating procedures for clinic tasks. Patient Encounter Optimization Dr. Smith provided strategies for managing patient visits more efficiently, including integrating note-taking during consultations, prioritizing tasks, and making effective use of appointment time. Charting and Documentation Strategies Dr. Smith discussed the importance of completing notes during patient encounters rather than leaving them until later, and the value of leaving 'breadcrumbs' in documentation to avoid blank notes. Introduction to Charting Champions Program Dr. Smith introduced her 'Charting Champions' program, which offers foundational modules and ongoing support for healthcare professionals looking to improve their clinical efficiency and documentation practices. Action Items Implement standard operating procedures for clinic tasks to improve efficiency Schedule regular check-in times for staff to ask questions and receive guidance Create answer sheets for frequently asked questions to empower staff Integrate note-taking into patient encounters rather than leaving it until later Consider joining the Charting Champions program for ongoing support check it out here