?? This can be a challenge especially when managing a busy practice or healthcare centre. It is however, imperative that you have the rest you need to be able to function fully, sustainably and most importantly, without losing quality of the work you put out. Have 'office hours' where physicians can pop in for quick questions and interactions without needing an appointment. Do have individual and group appointments available for topics that need longer interaction. Don't spend all your time behind the desk. Make time to liaise with your people at their workstations so that conversations are ongoing as work progresses. Have people 'stand-in' for you for when you are 'off' for the day, but make time for matters only you can address.

To navigate physician demands effectively after hours, I would focus on clear, proactive communication and prioritize urgent requests. I would assess the urgency and potential impact on patient care, addressing immediate needs while setting realistic expectations for less critical requests. By keeping the physician informed of my availability and the status of their request, I maintain a professional balance that respects both their expectations and my personal boundaries. This approach helps in managing demands efficiently while ensuring high-quality patient care.

To handle after-hours communication effectively, it’s essential to foster a professional balance. Start by setting clear boundaries; inform physicians about your availability and the preferred channels for urgent requests. Implementing a triage system can help differentiate between true emergencies and routine inquiries, ensuring critical issues receive prompt attention while less urgent matters are deferred to standard hours. Embrace digital tools like secure messaging apps, which streamline communication and protect patient information. Such strategies not only respect your work-life balance but also enhance productivity, ensuring that both professional and personal time are respected and utilized efficiently.

Establish clear communication channels and expectations regarding after-hours availability and response times to ensure a healthy work-life balance. Prioritize urgent matters while delegating non-critical tasks or postponing them to regular working hours to maintain efficiency and prevent burnout. Foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding, encouraging open dialogue and collaboration to address after-hours demands in a sustainable manner.

I try to limit my answers to texts. This allows me to be short and direct. I will call back if there is an urgent question, otherwise I text.