Many clinical and administrative tasks can be done outside the office, but having a detailed plan is key to making remote work successful.
Fam Pract Manag. 2023;30(5):33-37
Author disclosures: no relevant financial relationships.
How would your practice's leadership react if a physician or staff member said, “I'd like to start teleworking one day a week. I'll be more productive without the distractions of the office.” In this time of physician and staff shortages, it might be hard to say no. (See “Hybrid Schedules Are Key to Physician Recruitment and Retention.") There also may be plenty of reasons to say yes. Many primary care tasks, clinical and administrative, can be performed virtually,1 and allowing physicians and staff to work remotely at least part of the time could aid recruitment and retention, as well as have other benefits for your practice. In this article, we provide guidance on what to consider before making the decision, as well as practical tips for implementing telework.
KEY POINTS
There are many potential benefits and drawbacks that practices should consider before allowing staff to work remotely, either full-time or part-time.
Telework schedules must ensure proper coverage for in-office care, and it's important for all staff to know who is working remotely and when.
Practices should have written agreements that spell out expectations for employees working remotely, as well as what protocol will be followed if expectations are not being met.
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