Practice Resolutions What do you want to accomplish in 2000?

by Shellie Pruden, DCMS director of medical practice relations

Many people make New Year's resolutions to exercise, eat right, and get organized. But have you thought about resolutions for your practice? DCMS has a few suggestions.

Take the Texas Medical Association's Physician Practice Self-assessment Survey. It can be intimidating to develop a benchmark for where you are, but it can define the very heart of the work that needs to be done. For physicians who would like to keep a tight reign on consulting fees, TMA has developed a simple, straightforward tool to gather information on many aspects of your business, including financial management, billing and collections, patient satisfaction, and office management. With this information, you can identify strengths and opportunities to improve business over the next year. The practice self-assessment tool is available to all TMA members by contacting TMA Physician Services at 800?523?8776.

Take that next leap into the world of technology. Whether you are thinking of a new phone system, computer hardware, practice management software, or access to the Internet, this step will be vital to the survival of your practice. Not sure where to start? DCMS will sponsor the fifth annual MedExplore® technology conference Feb 17 at the Dallas InfoMart. Read DMJ's new technology column "Computing Care" on page 21. Ask your colleagues and specialty societies what practice management software they recommend. There are many options. The business of medicine no longer is a simple transaction of providing a service and getting paid. You'll have to take advantage of every means available to ensure efficient business practices.

The Internet has become one such business advantage. Many physicians access patient eligibility and pre-authorizations online. Information on copays, deductibles, and formularies is available at your fingertips, and is no longer a guessing game. Lab results and patient data easily can be transferred between the hospital and physicians' offices. With the passing of the Y2K scare, new technology will explode onto the market at an exponential rate. Prices will continue to decline, making this technology more affordable. Don't get caught in the paralysis of waiting for a perfect time to invest in your business. That perfect time is now.

Reach out and use your resources. As the practice of medicine grows more complicated, physicians may no longer rely on instinct for comprehensive business practices. The AMA, TMA, and DCMS continue to develop resources, as do many specialty societies and the Medical Group Management Association. Your staff also may have professional societies that can be used as a resource. Put those dues dollars to work for you.

Successful practice resolutions follow a simple formula: Look at your situation, decide where you want to be at the end of the year, create the plan to achieve those goals, and gather resources to get there. Let Y2K be the year that New Year's resolutions are more than wishful thoughts and good intentions.