Dos and don'ts for practice management: Holding effective staff meetings

The phrase "staff meetings" will sometimes draw groans from team members. This doesn't have to happen. An effective staff meeting will engage staff interest. A little planning can turn staff meetings into motivational opportunities for the practice.

Get team members involved. Place a bulletin board in the staff room with a blank sheet of paper that says: "Agenda Items for Monthly Staff Meeting on Monday." Then encourage staff members to add agenda items that they feel need to be discussed. Have a final agenda prepared before the meeting.

Don't come unprepared -- doctor or staff. Each team member needs to come to the meeting with ideas and suggestions for ways to improve the practice. During this part of the staff meeting, identify ideas and assign individuals to supervise each one to insure implementation. You should also provide deadlines for each assignment.