Does Your Bedside Manner Stop at the Office Door?

Recently we’ve looked at ensuring that your actions support your goals. This week we’ll look at the value of a strong bedside manner in all areas of your practice.

Medical professionals learn early in their career the importance of an empathic bedside manner and providing a positive patient experience. Physicians are coached throughout their training of the importance of being friendly and attentive to their patients, but rarely are they prepared for the significance of their staff interactions.

The connection between the patient experience and the staff experience is critical, but rarely a part of medical training. I have worked with some amazingly skilled physicians with a excellent bedside manner but my interactions with their staff were at the opposite end of the spectrum.

How does this happen? How does a gifted physician employ a staff who is void of empathy?

It starts with the decision to hire. Hiring is a decision usually focused on experience and skills and interviews rarely explore a person’s values. The issue continues because the physician has not recognized that they must model the behaviors that they expect their staff to demonstrate.

A practice leader that engages their staff and shows empathy for their staff is providing an example for how their staff should treat their patients. In short, the employee experience becomes the patient experience. Making a consistent effort to engage your staff, support and recognize their efforts must be a forethought and not an afterthought for practice leaders.

If you are ready to move your practice forward, consider the impact of bedside manner on your staff and if you would like support please contact me at smays@impactpracticeconsultants.com .