Neil H. Baum, MD, presented “Organizational Mission Statements for Medical Practices” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in February 2022.
How to cite: Baum, Neil H. “Organizational Mission Statements for Medical Practices.” February 2022. Accessed Apr 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/organizational-mission-statements-for-medical-practices/
Organizational Mission Statements for Medical Practices
Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, gives advice on how medical practices can formulate organizational mission statements, and explains why they are important in maintaining a motivated staff. He defines a mission statement as a truth told in advance that tells where a doctor and their practice are going. Dr. Baum then lists reasons why a practice should write a mission statement, explaining that mission statements help patients understand a doctor and their practice, separate a practice from the competition, and can bring patients closer to a practice. He also describes the essential elements of a mission statement, noting that it should contain the physician/practice’s philosophy of patient care and their principle beliefs, should state the practice’s ideals, and should inspire doctors, staff, and patients. Dr. Baum shares his own practice’s mission statement of “commitment to providing the best health care for our patients, to exceeding patients’ expectations regarding their health care, and to attention to the LITTLE details because they make a BIG difference.” He recommends that others do as he has done in his practice and make it so employees and patients regularly see the mission statement by displaying it in the reception area, exam room, and employee lounge, as well as on brochures, newsletters, stationary, websites, and blogs. Dr. Baum follows this with advice on how to craft a mission statement, suggesting that doctors look at mission statements from other businesses, review hospital mission statements, and involve all of the staff and doctors of the practice in the process. He concludes with an example of how his practice’s mission statement helped motivate his staff to pay attention to the little details and better maintain the cleanliness of the practice’s restrooms throughout the day.
For more commentary on practice management from Dr. Baum, visit his Improving Your Urology Practice page.
