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Running a healthcare practice involves much more than patient care. Many physicians juggle staffing, scheduling, training, and managing technology, all while striving to provide the best care possible. One physician shared a story that highlights a challenge familiar to many in the industry. She hired a freelancer from the Philippines to assist with administrative tasks like managing the EMR system and patient communication. However, despite the freelancer's promises, the work was incomplete, and the physician found herself right back where she started: doing it all herself.
The real issue wasn’t just the unfinished tasks, but the ongoing need for staff training. She mentioned how exhausting it was to continually train new employees, especially when they lacked familiarity with systems like Google, phone systems, and EMRs. "I’m tired of training," she said. This sentiment isn’t uncommon in healthcare, where professionals often find themselves filling multiple roles from doctor, manager, tech support, to trainer, leaving less time for patient care.
The Challenge: Managing Staffing Absences in Healthcare
This struggle with staffing gaps is something many healthcare practices face regularly. A receptionist out sick? Phones go unanswered, and appointments get delayed. A medical assistant on leave? Patient care gets backed up. It's a familiar story. One absence can disrupt the entire operation.
A clinic manager shared their experience with us about what happened when their receptionist had to take unexpected time off. The clinic felt the strain. Patients waited longer for callbacks, staff scrambled to fill in, and the manager described it as a “snowball effect” where one delay caused another.
The Need for Consistent Support During Absences
This is where having backup or healthcare staffing support becomes essential. We developed the Leave Support Service to help healthcare practices maintain smooth operations, even when a team member is absent.
The Leave Support Team (LST) is designed to step in and handle critical tasks like scheduling, phone calls, patient follow-ups, and EMR updates. They integrate directly into your existing workflows, allowing your practice to continue functioning without disruption during periods of absence.
Watch the video below to learn how our LST supports your practice:
Why It Matters
It’s not just about getting tasks done. It's about reducing the strain on your team so they can focus on patient care. When your practice is already understaffed, even one absence can feel overwhelming. With nearly 49% of physicians reporting burnout, staffing shortages can add significant stress, underscoring the importance of having reliable support during times of absence (HRSA, 2024). By bringing in temporary medical assistants, your team can focus on what they do best without the extra strain of managing everything themselves.
A Balanced Approach to Practice Management
Healthcare professionals entered the field to care for patients, not to be full-time managers or tech troubleshooters. The administrative side of things is just as important.
If you’re feeling the strain of managing both patient care and operational duties, remember that you don’t have to handle it all on your own. The right support, even during short-term absences, can make a significant difference.
Sometimes, relief comes from knowing there’s a backup ready to step in when you need it.
