Prescription for doctors who want more time

1. Reclaim time for yourself, during evenings and weekends – you are important and having time for yourself is vital. So when you begin to free up time set goals just for you, and do things you’ve missed while you’ve been so busy.
2. Speed up tasks by making simple changes -even quite simple changes will make a huge difference and save time. Spend a few minutes each day observing what you are doing. Perhaps moving something nearer to your desk or the examination couch will have a profound effect (or at least save you a few minutes)
3. Have equipment to use on the patient close to hand – if you have to walk across the room each time you need to use your stethoscope then move it into your pocket or next to you ( or have a spare one )
4. Input the computer with as little as possible shift in your chair – arrange yourself, your chair, the patient and the computer as conveniently as you can so there is little movement between them all!
5. Make a chart of routine daily tasks for yourself – so you can tick them off as you complete them.
6. Break down the big tasks into small chunks – so you make a start rather than never even getting started.
7. Set a timer for half an hour and see how much you can get done in that time -surprise yourself by whizzing through some of the boring things quickly.
8. Change activities every half an hour – by doing this you will keep fresh and not bored.
9. Leave paperwork in a special area of your desk so you can get back to it easily – you are ready to pick a task whenever there is an opportunity to do so.
10. Use time management tools such as an on-line calendar -so you never have to search for your diary and have everything listed together.
11. Establish routines and stick to them as much as possible – this means introduce new time aware habits and consciously follow them until you have repeated them so they become on auto-pilot.
12. Have a file management system on your computer and in your office organise where you put things.
13. Delete or throw away as much as possible.
14. Things you feel must be kept file in a filing cabinet or in folders in my documents.
15. Enjoy life when you’ve taken control of your time – now that you have more time get out there and enjoy yourself.
16. Set goals, step out of your comfort zone and find out what life has to offer you now!

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