What it’s all about
Practice management is the transmitter of the medical expertise of practice owners and the resources used in practice operations into patient care. The better the management works, the higher the quality of patient care. A validated, easy-to-implement guideline, the so-called best practice standard, exists for the adequate organisation of practice management. Yet these are only partially applied. This has a strong negative impact on the care of practice visitors, on the efficiency of the work, the motivation of the staff and ultimately also on the economic results of the practice.
What is the best practice standard?
The best practice standard describes all regulations, instruments and behaviours that are essential in the areas of practice management, from planning, market research, organisation, management, patient care and marketing to controlling, to ensure that the work functions smoothly even under changing requirements.Practice management comparisons show that only just over half of these guidelines are implemented in German medical practices. The negative consequences can be painfully experienced by doctors, staff and patients on a daily basis.
Why are best practices not implemented?
There are many reasons for this reluctance:
Resistance to change
There is often a strong aversion to change in entrenched processes. Many practices stick to familiar, albeit inefficient, routines.
Lack of awareness and understanding
There is often a lack of awareness of the benefits that could arise from the introduction of best practices. Not all medical professionals understand how such changes could increase efficiency and reduce stress.
Limited resources
In smaller practices in particular, the supposedly high time and financial outlay required to implement new processes is a deterrent.
Demotivation and stress
In an already stressful work environment, additional changes can be perceived as a further burden, which can lead to further demotivation among already frustrated staff.
The consequences of not applying the best practice standard
Ignoring the guideline for practice management has several negative effects:
Diminished patient satisfaction
Patient care suffers from inefficient processes, resulting in long waiting times, short doctor contacts and administrative errors.
Increased work pressure and stress
Inefficient processes lead to unnecessary extra work and stress, resulting in burnout and high staff turnover.
Economic losses
Inefficient practices are also less successful economically, as resources are used sub-optimally and errors in operating procedures cause financial losses.
Conclusion
For outpatient medicine in Germany, it is essential that the importance of the best practice standard of practice management is recognised and its implementation actively promoted. This necessity is given increased priority by the fact that digital solutions in medical practices can only realise their full benefits on the basis of smoothly functioning practice management. The guideline should therefore be seen as a solution to individual practice problems, as an opportunity for improvement and as a contribution to securing the future, not as a burden.
R2049 