Working with physicians can be challenging, especially in a fast-paced and stressful environment. However, building a strong relationship with them can benefit your patients, your career, and your well-being. Here are some tips on how to promote teamwork and collaboration with physicians over time.
Trust and respect are the foundation of any successful collaboration. To earn the trust and respect of physicians, you need to demonstrate your competence, reliability, and professionalism. Show that you can handle your responsibilities, follow protocols, and communicate clearly. Respect their expertise, opinions, and preferences, and avoid criticizing or undermining them in front of others. Acknowledge their contributions, feedback, and achievements, and express your appreciation for their support.
Trust and respect are earned slowly and lost quickly. Physicians are smart, passionate, curious, and data-driven. Earn their trust and respect by acknowledging their role as quarterbacks of the care delivery team — while also showing them your skills and value. How can you help them accomplish what's important to them, you should ask yourself. They'll trust and respect you more when they see you as a partner who can advance their priorities. Little things matter, too. Be on time, address them as "Dr. Smith" (until told otherwise), deliver on your promises, avoid bad news surprises, etc.
Effective communication is essential for teamwork and collaboration. To communicate well with physicians, you need to be clear, concise, and respectful. Use appropriate channels, such as face-to-face, phone, email, or electronic health records, depending on the urgency, complexity, and sensitivity of the message. Provide relevant information, such as patient history, vital signs, test results, or treatment plans, and avoid unnecessary details or jargon. Listen actively, ask questions, and clarify any doubts or concerns. Use positive and constructive language, and avoid blaming, complaining, or interrupting.
Physicians are smart, passionate, curious, and data-driven. Communicate in terms of their goals and show concretely how you're a partner working to realize them, e.g. building their personal brand, promoting their research, filling their schedule, etc. Data and evidence — interpreted and explained — are your friends, as is a helpful, collaborative approach.
Sharing common goals and values can help you align your efforts and expectations with physicians. To share goals and values, you need to understand the vision, mission, and culture of your organization, department, or unit, and how they relate to your role and responsibilities. Discuss with physicians how you can work together to achieve the best outcomes for your patients, your team, and your organization. Identify and prioritize the most important tasks, challenges, and opportunities, and agree on the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each team member. Review and evaluate your progress and performance regularly, and celebrate your successes.
Learning from each other can help you improve your skills, knowledge, and confidence. To learn from physicians, you need to be open-minded, curious, and humble. Seek their advice, feedback, and guidance on clinical issues, professional development, or career advancement. Observe their practices, techniques, and behaviors, and ask them to explain their rationale, methods, or outcomes. Share your own insights, experiences, and perspectives, and offer your suggestions, solutions, or innovations. Recognize and respect the diversity of skills, backgrounds, and styles among physicians, and appreciate the value they bring to the team.
Supporting each other can help you cope with stress, burnout, and challenges. To support physicians, you need to be empathetic, compassionate, and helpful. Recognize the signs of stress, burnout, or fatigue among physicians, such as irritability, mood swings, withdrawal, or errors. Offer your emotional, practical, or professional support, such as listening, encouraging, assisting, or referring. Respect their boundaries, privacy, and coping strategies, and avoid judging, pressuring, or interfering. Encourage them to seek help from appropriate resources, such as counseling, coaching, or peer support.
Having fun and socializing can help you build rapport, friendship, and camaraderie with physicians. To have fun and socialize with physicians, you need to be friendly, cheerful, and respectful. Engage in casual conversations, jokes, or compliments, and show interest in their personal lives, hobbies, or interests. Invite them to join you for lunch, coffee, or social events, such as parties, outings, or games. Respect their preferences, schedules, and personalities, and avoid topics that might cause conflict, such as politics, religion, or gossip.
I never assume friendships with physicians, but many will share personal tidbits that can help you develop a deeper rapport and be a better partner of theirs. Do they have photos of their family in their office? Have they discussed a sports team that they root for? Where'd they grow up or go to school? Do they mention life outside of work like vacations and hobbies? Don't press too hard on the fun and social side of your physician relationships, I'd caution. They may just not be into you.
Offer your expertise in dosing, side effects. And open communication but don't be afraid to be an honest communicator. Physicians will reciprocate.