Slacker docs

[DogLovingPA]

I work in an environment where it is always 1 doc/1 PA. Like everywhere, some of the docs are great while some are.... well less than great.

 

How do you guys deal with the docs that basically leave the PA to do most of the work? I'm talking about those docs that disappear into the break room for hours while the patients pile up and you break your back working.

 

Just smile, do your job well and assume karma will work out in the end?

[Febrifuge]

Why would you not go to the break room and find the person? Just say "hi, nice to see you, glad you're here, I guess you haven't had a chance to see it yet, but we have a bunch of patients waiting." Fill up your water bottle, head back out, and say "see you out there" over your shoulder.

[DogLovingPA]

I may give that a try, although I'm pretty sure it won't help with this particular co-worker of mine.  The office manager did that once and the response they got was "I don't need to be told how to do my job".  However, I am not aware of any of the PA's addressing the issue that way with this particular doctor, so it certainly couldn't hurt.  Maybe coming from another provider would help?  Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. 

[rev ronin]

Start assigning patients to him.  Bring the charts or whatever piece of paper your EMR spits out to him in the break room.

[UGoLong]

Or just say, "We're falling behind. Can you come out and join me in a few?"

[Reality Check 2]

Cheap shot but can work - if you charge nurse is Brunhilda...................... Send the charge nurse in to find the doc citing all those metrics we hate about door to provider time and all that.

[Reality Check 2]

I am not quite this bold (shocking, I know) but I worked with a doc who would have gathered the chart, gathered the patient, grabbed an otoscope and escorted the patient to the breakroom where said lazy doc is sitting - and then put the patient in a chair, handed the chart to lazy doc and, turning to the patient - would smile a big giant &HIT eating grin and said "The doctor will see you now" and walked away with a slight skip to his gait.

 

Only in my lottery winning quitting on site dreams but it would be SOOOOOO satisfying.................

[DiggySRNA]

I am not quite this bold (shocking, I know) but I worked with a doc who would have gathered the chart, gathered the patient, grabbed an otoscope and escorted the patient to the breakroom where said lazy doc is sitting - and then put the patient in a chair, handed the chart to lazy doc and, turning to the patient - would smile a big giant &HIT eating grin and said "The doctor will see you now" and walked away with a slight skip to his gait.

 

Only in my lottery winning quitting on site dreams but it would be SOOOOOO satisfying.................

 

I'm in tears hahaha. Sound like something straight out of a comedy movie/tv show.

[Reality Check 2]

This particular doc was a riot and so humbling and human.

 

He would go out to the ER doc where the respiratory therapists were SMOKING and take a clipboard - "Hey, guys. You are obviously super busy - can you write down the vent settings for me so I don't have to bother you during a code?"

 

He would wheel patients to radiology and push them through the door and announce his arrival followed by "well, it's been 45 minutes and this ectopic might just bust out and deliver by the time we get this done, so, I brought the patient to you". 

 

Super smart doc, super nice guy. Could slit your throat verbally while smiling and you would never know what was happening. 

 

Patients loved him and working shifts with him was actually kind of fun and always a learning experience.

[dmdpac]

I may give that a try, although I'm pretty sure it won't help with this particular co-worker of mine.  The office manager did that once and the response they got was "I don't need to be told how to do my job".  However, I am not aware of any of the PA's addressing the issue that way with this particular doctor, so it certainly couldn't hurt.  Maybe coming from another provider would help?  Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. 

 

"Noone is presuming to tell you how to do your job.  You're simply being asked to do it."

 

Of course, this may not go over well if you're trying to maintain a collegial workplace relationship with this individual.  However, were it to come from the office manager or other provider it may be better received.

 

However, if there's a rack full of charts and a waiting room full of people you could probably argue that stress was a motivating factor in your response.

[CAAdmission]

Of course, this may not go over well if you're trying to maintain a collegial workplace relationship with this individual.

Collegiality is overrated. Save your harmonious relationships for home and torture the sloths at work.

[Lauren R]

I think the best bet is to approach the person with concern rather than frustration. "Hey I'm starting to get overwhelmed. I'd really appreciate some help. I'm seeing more patients independently than I'm comfortable with. I'm afraid I'll overlook something or compromise patient care.".

[Reality Check 2]

I think the best bet is to approach the person with concern rather than frustration. "Hey I'm starting to get overwhelmed. I'd really appreciate some help. I'm seeing more patients independently than I'm comfortable with. I'm afraid I'll overlook something or compromise patient care.".

NO!!!

 

I CAN do the job but don't get paid enough to do it alone. Get off your dead ass and help.

 

Do not play yourself down -EVER.

[cbrsmurf]

Is the doc an owner of the practice?

 

If not, they'll see that his billings/#'s are lower than everyone else.  It'll be up to management if they want to keep him or not.  It's not really your problem to take care of imo, unless you are a partner/owner.

[GetMeOuttaThisMess]

Is the doc an owner of the practice?

 

If not, they'll see that his billings/#'s are lower than everyone else. It'll be up to management if they want to keep him or not. It's not really your problem to take care of imo, unless you are a partner/owner.

I would say that it IS your problem because you're getting your arse kicked! I had one like this many moons ago when Dallas ED's were just beginning to utilize PA's. Guy was nice enough but lazy as hell and kept telling me he had full confidence in me. I'd rather you not have confidence and get off your arse and help me!

[rev ronin]

I would say that it IS your problem because you're getting your arse kicked!

Why?  See patients at an appropriate speed, and if the backup is too long... there's another provider.

[GetMeOuttaThisMess]

I'm saying while it is management's problem you are the one suffering the consequences of the lard arse. If you can get by with allowing a backlog to develop then let them back up. My personality allows it to drive me nuts, or it used to. This is no longer an issue for me present day.

[Reality Check 2]

A well placed printed out photo of the chart rack with a watch face side by side with a pic of lazy doc sitting (preferably feet on table) with same watch face could do wonders.

 

Taped to an admin's door or just taped up in public or even on a few windshields. 

 

Subtle - no

 

Effective - maybe

 

Funny - hell yes

[LT_Oneal_PAC]

I think the best bet is to approach the person with concern rather than frustration. "Hey I'm starting to get overwhelmed. I'd really appreciate some help. I'm seeing more patients independently than I'm comfortable with. I'm afraid I'll overlook something or compromise patient care.".

Then it comes back that you can't handle the load. You are both professionals and adults so you can explain in no uncertain terms that you aren't taking up THEIR slack anymore.

[sk732]

There is always the option of a one way conversation +\- a bit of one way pokey chest and calling them a lazy (add your own impolite descriptor) to their face.  It's obvious said person doesn't have anyone's back, so make damn sure that they know that nobody has their's.  Peer pressure is a wonderful thing when applied properly.

 

SK

[SHU-CH]

One of the reasons society is falling apart is that people are generally afraid to call out bad behavior. I have always considered it a shame for a jackass to go through life never having anyone tell them they are a jackass. Maybe they could have been rehabilitated. 

[DogLovingPA]

Reality Check's stories have some good ideas but I'm certainly not that bold!  

 

Most seem to support a direct approach.  What is the worst that can happen?  They make my shift miserable?  Oh wait, it already is. 

 

Although in retrospect I can't always claim we are falling behind/patients piling up, etc.  One shift they sat in the break room for 4 hours... 4 hours.  I only saw 12 patients in that time, all nicely spaced out so at no point were we backed up but boy did that boil my blood.......  I'd love to make 2x my salary to surf facebook on my phone. 

 

And no, this doc is not an owner.  I know that upper management/owners are aware of the issue and I suspect it may be resolved if additional staffing resources join the group.  I just happen to have two shifts with the offending doc this week..... one of which will be at the end of a 7 day run for me.... so I suspect my patience will be low.  

 

If the patients complain about the wait, I might just start handing out business cards with my manager's email and asking them to please email their complaints (I am certain management will know the problem on that day was not me). 

[Reality Check 2]

The stories ARE funny but you do always have to consider blowback and bad manners.

 

Some folks take a stronger hand to make a point. Others respond to such things as getting fired.

 

Do what works for you and keep your love for what you do.

 

And, yes, Karma is a hag and she will come around - just never on our schedule.

[rev ronin]

People don't understand risk and reward.  Unfortunately, we now have a ton of docs who have never been owners, or worse, are GLAD to be collecting a paycheck without producing revenue.

 

I made it clear to my current doc that I understood I was responsible for generating sufficient revenue to pay for myself, my MA, my share of the infrastructure, and a profit for the practice, and that in doing so, I was also responsible for our word-of-mouth, retaining good patients, and not exposing the clinic to legal or practice risk.

 

IF you are a provider, you are revenue generation: no one else is, not in any meaningful way.  Use that to your advantage.

[DogLovingPA]

Reality check - I guess I should of said "funny" ideas, not necessarily "good" ideas. Lol. Definitely not my personality. I'm usually just a "worry about yourself and your job and let everyone else worry about themselves" kind of a person. But also trying not to get walked all over.