While highly rewarding, the medical profession can also be very stressful. Fortunately, Locums physicians can reduce the chaos and improve their concentration in a few easy steps.
In a single day, physicians have countless tasks that must be completed within strict time frames. Along with addressing patient demands, doctors must find time to complete paperwork, connect with co-workers, catch up on recent medical advancements, and tend to other miscellaneous tasks. Unfortunately, this leaves little downtime time. So, while physicians are busy looking out for the wellbeing of others, they may find it difficult to keep focus. This may be amplified for Locums physicians, who also must adapt to varying work environments. Fortunately, physicians can use the following simple steps to find focus and improve concentration.
- Slow down: Though there may be a laundry lists of tasks waiting to be completed, it is important to take your time. This will help ensure that each assignment is completed to your best ability. Remember, quality is so often more important than quantity. Ultimately, slowing down will improve your patient relationships.
- Take breaks: Even if it is just for a minute, it is important to take a break every so often. Try simply closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths in between patients or tasks. Use some principles from meditation and just take a moment to appreciate the act of breathing in and out. This will help remind you of what is really important and will help you re-center yourself.
- Be mindful and present: When you are busy, it is easy to have your mind on the next task, instead of the one at hand. Unfortunately, this can lead to confusion and mistakes. In the end, it may negatively impact your patients. When you are with a patient, be mindful and present. Taking the time to do so will ensure that your diagnoses and treatment plans are accurate and effective.
- Communicate effectively: One of the best ways to reduce chaos is to communicate effectively, yet efficiently. Having to repeat yourself can be time consuming and miscommunications can lead to critical errors (only adding to the chaos). That being said, don’t spend extra time trying to explain yourself, just keep it simple, clear, and concise.
- Disconnect: Whenever possible, take time away from electronic devices, especially when you are at home or around loved ones. Even if you use the devices for work tasks, they all too often pull your concentration to another place. If you are someone who finds yourself mindlessly checking social media or catching up on sports scores, it is especially important to put effort into disconnecting. While surfing the web can be relaxing, save it for downtime, not work time.
- Set boundaries: Set times when there should be limited interruptions in your schedule. Let everyone know that you are not available during this time. This way, you will be able to concentration on the task at hand without losing focus. While it is good to have an open door policy, it is also beneficial to have time to yourself to concentrate.
- Schedule appropriate time off: This is especially important for Locum Tenens workers who can set their own schedules. It may be tempting to accept back to back assignments, but taking time off in between (even just a few days) will help you reset and refocus.
- Ask for help: When patients’ health is at stake, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. If a facility is overworked, a simple solution is to hire more Locums workers.
Using these simple steps, Locum Tenens physicians can focus, even if the work environment seems hectic. Despite the potential stress, Locum Tenens physicians consistently report high levels of job satisfaction. The ability to set their own schedules and the excellent work-life balance keep Locums workers from experiencing the stress and burnout that many other physicians feel. If you are interested in participating in Locum Tenens work, please contact us at Medstaff National Medical Staffing today. Our team of expert recruiters will help you get the placements you have been searching for.