Neil H. Baum, MD, presented “Ernest Shackleton and Urologic Practices” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in September 2022.
How to cite: Baum, Neil H. “Ernest Shackleton and Urologic Practices.” September 2022. Accessed Aug 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/ernest-shackleton-and-urologic-practices/
Ernest Shackleton and Urologic Practices – Summary
Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, offers advice to urologic clinicians on leading during uncertain times. Through the lens of adventurer Ernest Shackelton, Dr. Baum illustrates how providing excellent patient care involves responding to new information, maintaining morale, and leading by example. He indicates that in a clinical setting, paper charts and ledger cards instead of electronic records can suggest to patients that the physician also lacks up-to-date clinical knowledge. Dr. Baum then underscores the importance of maintaining office morale, especially when the office is short-staffed, to ensure the patient experience does not suffer. He notes that even small gestures to recognize when staff goes above and beyond can make a significant difference and he encourages clinicians to find creative strategies to maintain office morale. Similarly, a leader set the tone for the rest of the team and should abide by the same expectations. For example, if physicians expect their team to arrive on time, they should lead by example and arrive promptly. Dr. Baum then offers a lesson in hiring based on a combination of character traits and skills over skills alone noting that you can’t teach employees to be nice but you can train them on most tasks needed to be successful in a medical office. He concludes that these strategies can guide physicians through crises like the pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding changes within the medical system.
For more commentary on practice management from Dr. Baum, visit his Improving Your Urology Practice page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil H. Baum, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a retired urologic surgeon. Additionally, Dr. Baum serves as the Medical Advisor to Vanguard Communications Group. Dr. Baum is the author of Marketing Your Clinical Practice - Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which is in its 4th edition, has sold over 175,000 copies, and has been translated into Spanish. He also wrote The Complete Business Guide to a Successful Medical Practice, which was published in 2015. Dr. Baum was the columnist for American Medical News for more than 25 years. Dr. Baum also wrote the popular column, “The Bottom Line,” for Urology Times for more than 20 years. He is a requested speaker each year to the Practice Management Seminar for the American Urological Association (AUA), where he discusses techniques for making urology practices more efficient and more productive. He has written more than 9 books on practice management and over 250 peer-reviewed articles on various urologic topics. Dr. Baum is also the medical advisor to Vanguard Communications Group.
