Staffing shortages in medical practices is a growing concern. This issue not only affects the efficiency and quality of care but also places increased stress on existing staff and can lead to burnout. Addressing this problem requires a multi-faceted approach, combining innovative strategies with proactive management. Here’s a look at some practical steps that medical practices can take to mitigate staff shortages and improve overall practice management.

Topics: medical practice issues, administrative burdens, medical office leadership, personnel management, medical office training

There’s a familiar saying: Behind every good leader is a great team. One cannot work without the other. Building team trust and acceptance is a key driver of successful practice managers, says Kem Tolliver, BS, CMPE, CMC, CMOM, a revenue cycle management expert, co-author of, Revenue Cycle Management: Don’t Get Lost in the Financial Maze published by MGMA®, and business owner based in Maryland. She says that great leaders are exceptional influencers.

Topics: Practice management, medical practice issues, medical office staff, medical office leadership, change management

In a time where medical practices and hospitals continue to experience staff shortages, it is more important than ever to cultivate and embrace your team. Leading an engaged, productive, and happy team is a hallmark of a successful medical office manager. It's also one of the biggest practice management challenges. So where do you begin? Read on for some tips to lead a great medical office team.

Topics: Practice management, medical office manager topics, medical practice issues

As medical practices bounce back from the pandemic, many are finding it challenging to recruit and hire great employees, including front desk staff. Don't put this off! It takes time to find the right fit, and as patient flow picks up, you need to be ready!  Here are some recruitment best practices for Medical Office Managers to help you attract the best talent.

Topics: Practice management, CMOM, Certified Medical Office Manager, medical office, medical office manager topics, medical practice issues, staff recruiting

With high turnover and staff burnout sweeping the healthcare industry, medical practices have sped up and expanded their recruiting efforts, hoping to secure the right team for the long term. If you’re a medical office manager that’s caught in this hiring whirlwind, you’ll want to follow these best practices to ensure you’re not only attracting motivated candidates but also selecting the most qualified, patient-focused members for your team.

Topics: medical office, medical office manager topics, medical practice issues, medical office staff, staff recruiting, personnel management

Whether you are new to Practice Management Institute, a certified professional, enrolled in, or inquired about medical office training, you have probably interacted with Kathleen Riexinger at some point. She has worked with PMI for two decades and recently received a well-deserved promotion to Director of Student Experience. She chose the new title, said PMI President/CEO David T. Womack, and it fits her to a tee.

Topics: Practice management, medical office manager topics, medical practice issues, medical office staff, administrative burdens, medical office leadership, medicare compliance

Consumer healthcare spending continues to rise, not surprisingly due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. National health spending projections for 2021-23 will continue to inch upward 5.4 percent per year, according to research compiled by the National Health Expenditures Accounts (NHE). Insurers have tightened the reins shifting more financial burden to their members. And with inflation, furloughs, unpaid family leave, and mounting medical and prescription costs, it's no surprise that family budgets are stretched thin.

Topics: Practice debt, medical practice issues, medical billing, patient billing, patient collections

How would you characterize the success of your medical office? A steady flow of patients is one benchmark. What about your team; do your providers take an active role in practice management? Are your clinical and administrative teams showing up with purpose? How about financial health? It is an ongoing struggle in every practice, and we've found two CMOMs on a mission to help you improve it.

Topics: Practice management, Practice cash flow, medical practice issues, financial management

If you dread conducting employee performance reviews, you're not alone. But perception is everything; a performance evaluation does not have to be confrontational. it can be an uplifting and productive opportunity to connect with your team members. Reviews are a good time to formally recognize your team members for going above and beyond. It is also a confidential space to address problems head-on and provide a pathway for improvement. What you say, and how you say it must be carefully considered during a review to avoid a negative result.

Topics: medical office manager topics, cmom certification, medical practice issues, medical office staff, medical office leadership

Rachel K. Downey, MHA, is an Administrator at Dermatology Associates of Virginia where she has worked for more than six years. Founded in 1969 by Richmond native Charles M. Caravati, Jr., M.D., the practice has grown to 16 Board-certified physicians and four mid-level providers practicing at six central Virginia locations with a goal to excel in quality, patient experience, and cost-effectiveness.

Topics: medical practice issues, emergency preparedness, financial management, medical office leadership, COVID, change management

With all the major stressors involved in practice management, it's easy to lose sight of an obscure issue like ergonomics. But studies like this one in the Journal of Preventative Medicine and Hygiene (JPMH) have shown that time spent evaluating the health and safety of your team's workstation will help improve mental acuity and decrease physical stress and absenteeism.

Topics: Practice management, medical office manager topics, medical office compliance, medical practice issues, osha, hazard communication

Tense situations in a medical office are inevitable, and knowing how to de-escalate a potentially violent situation is a skill that every provider and employee needs to know.  You hope you never have to use it, but having an emergency action protocol and team response training will help protect your team when seconds count. 

Topics: Practice management, medical practice issues, workplace violence, emergency preparedness, personnel management

The rapid evolution of telehealth services has helped keep medical practice virtual doors open to meet their patients' health needs during the pandemic. But with new utilization comes cautionary areas from a billing standpoint, and it's important to stay current on updates and compliance protocols to promote revenue growth and avoid financial loss. 

Topics: Practice management, payer contract, medical office compliance, medical practice issues, medical billing, financial management, medical coding

Nearly 2 million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence each year, and the number has only grown since the start of the pandemic. While workplace violence can strike anywhere and at any time, the risk of assault can be prevented or minimized if employers take appropriate precautions.

Topics: medical office compliance, medical practice issues, workplace violence

As a Medical Office Manager, there are few actions as uncomfortable as firing an employee. Yet, after verbal warnings, write-ups, and other corrective actions, you know when this time has come to gather your documentation and make difficult decisions about how and when to proceed. But failure to follow proper procedures and federal guidelines could put your practice at risk of an employee lawsuit or a compliance violation. Take a look at some best practices and a termination checklist below to help you proceed professionally and safely.

Topics: Practice management, CMOM, medical office manager topics, medical office compliance, medical practice issues, personnel management