Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

5 ways to tell if a practice has integrity

Joy Eastridge, RN
Conditions
May 22, 2017
635 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

I stood in line behind a physician, slightly balding and in a long, starched lab coat at the coffee shop in our hospital. As he paid and took his coffee, I noticed that he smiled and called the clerk by name, “Thank you, Terri.” He went on about his day, and I was left to wonder about the man, his practice and what type of person he was.

My friend has a son who is graduating from a prestigious orthopedic training program. He is about to begin his job search and the question comes up, “How do you know a good (integrity-filled) practice?” This young man recognizes that it is not all about the money and that true success in life comes from fulfilling work, good co-worker relationships and being honest with one another.

Being a nurse married to a physician, and working in the medical field, I have a front-seat opportunity to observe the benefits of great partnerships in medicine, as well as some of the difficulties of a mismatch in care styles and practice philosophies. All professionals know that finding a good fit at work is one of the keys to long-term professional success, but how do you decide if it is a “good” practice or not? And I can tell you, especially if you are a newer practitioner, about to get “out there” in the world of medicine, that there is truly nothing but pain, sadness and brokenness on the wrong side of the fence of integrity. The short term gains may be tempting, but wearing a doctor’s coat that is sullied by compromise is demeaning and in the end, takes you farther down a dark road than you ever thought about going.

No one goes through medical school and training thinking that they will ever compromise their standards, but instead, they might think, “I will have an awesome, financially rewarding practice and still provide the best care around.” That goal is lofty and attainable but requires a daily dedication to goals that put others first, that require self-sacrifice and the ability to commit to long-term plans.

So, back to the question at hand: how do you know whether a practice is “good” or not? Here are some ideas to consider:

1. How do they treat others? Follow the prospective partner around for an hour or two. It doesn’t take all day, but it requires that you step away from a recruiting table, from a computer and spend some time going room to room in the office or in the hospital or in the OR, seeing how this person acts in relationship to others. Ask yourself some questions: does he/she show respect to all others, regardless of their educational preparation, race, nationality? Do they treat the janitor, the surgical tech, the nurses with the same acknowledgment of a job well done? Do they seem to at least have a good working relationship with their peers? Admittedly, everyone is not going to get along with everyone else, we all get that, but a general attitude of respect speaks volumes about long-term success.

2. Do they routinely engage in continuing education and give it actual time in their schedules instead of lip service? Do they seek to amplify and perfect their medical skills and listen when new evidence-based medical research is published and alter their practice habits? This is especially important to note in the older, more established practitioner because we all know that as time goes on, our tendency is to become more entrenched, less flexible. A lack of dedication to continuing education, to adopting new knowledge, can result in a practitioner that loses touch over the years of practice — staying with the “tried and true” and not being willing/able to let go of the overconfidence that speaks the arrogant deception into their soul, “You’ve got this.” The byproduct of listening to that subtle self-lie is a physician who gradually becomes focused on the monetary rewards, the position, the power and begins to treat those around themselves as less than. The arrogance of knowing it all, having the best technique, being so accomplished that there is nothing left to learn, completely undermines best practice techniques and leads to an erosion of integrity that is impossible to shore up later.

3. The practitioner with integrity is concerned about — and lives out — having the patient’s best interest at heart. On some level, the physician with integrity is expressing, and more importantly, putting into the practice, principles that show that they have their patients’ long-term best interest in mind. Whether it is sacrificing some short-term gain in order to hire ancillary personnel that help address patient’s day-to-day needs and concerns or whether it is taking the time to discuss weight loss instead of surgery or exercise/therapy instead of interventional care, all of these approaches can show dedication to ultimate good for the patient instead of a focus on short-term gains. A practice that shows an emphasis on meeting the patient’s needs rather than solely the physicians’ will probably require more work, more selflessness on the part of the partners, but it is also a situation that tends to produce more and more lasting job satisfaction. Yes, hiring an additional receptionist to actually answer the phone and address patient needs is expensive, but when we shortcut these investments in good practice in order to broaden the bottom line, we do ourselves, and certainly the patients, a disservice.

4. Are they a team player? Do they give others’ credit? Do they refer well and network well? Medicine is no longer a solo practitioner affair. It takes all the players on the team working together to equal great care.

5. Trust your gut on this one. Life is full of choices, and sometimes we make the wrong ones. That’s the honest truth. But if you are seeking an ethical practice, and truly listening for the underlying message of excellence in patient care, then you will know when it is a good fit. If something feels a little “off,” then listen to your intuition. Reconsider the offer. And then the next day think about it again. Finally, be willing to live with the uncertainty of no job or no partner for a little longer, if that is what it takes to find a great fit.

I realize that there are many who would disagree, saying that it seems the hard-driving, ambitious, supremely self-confident, borderline arrogant practitioners are the ones that really move the profession, that make the difference, that shake up the world. I would beg to differ and consider that “it seems” is the key phrase here. While these type-A personality traits are not wrong in and of themselves, in order to show long term true success, to make a lasting difference, to influence the world for good, then I would submit that these characteristics need to be subsumed to the long-term good of all, finding ways to move forward and do good while being kind, thoughtful and ultimately, a loving person.

So, what is the answer to the proposed question? Look for someone who is genuine in their concern for others’ well-being, whether or not this contributes to their own. That’s the true bottom line.

Joy Eastridge is a nurse. 

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

I want to help him, but I need to know more about him

May 22, 2017 Kevin 0
…
Next

Physicians are low-hanging fruit. Here's why.

May 22, 2017 Kevin 21
…

Tagged as: Primary Care

Post navigation

< Previous Post
I want to help him, but I need to know more about him
Next Post >
Physicians are low-hanging fruit. Here's why.

Related Posts

  • Medical school is more than practice problems

    Kira Kopacz
  • Improving physician satisfaction by eliminating unnecessary practice burdens

    Yul Ejnes, MD
  • Independent practice: Nurse practitioners respond

    Rebekah Bernard, MD
  • The Wild West approach to PICU practice

    Christopher Johnson, MD
  • 4 small changes to help your practice now

    Andrew Mellin, MD, MBA
  • A bill to drive physicians out of practice in the state of California

    Linda Hertzberg, MD

More in Conditions

  • The surprising medical mystery of a “good” Hitler: How a rescued kitten revealed a rare movement disorder

    Teresella Gondolo, MD
  • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

    Kim Downey, PT
  • Unlocking the secrets of cancer conferences: an end-of-life counselor’s journey among pharmaceutical giants

    Althea Halchuck, EJD
  • An obstetrician-gynecologist reveals the truth about reproductive planning and how to navigate society’s expectations

    Yuliya Malayev, DO, MPH
  • Nose-brain connection: The surprising link between allergies and mental health revealed

    Kara Wada, MD
  • Is the rise in mental illness due to greater awareness or a true increase in incidence?

    Zahid Awan, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

      Juliet Morgan and Meghan Jobson | Physician
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • Emulating Michael Jordan’s winning mindset: a path to success for health care professionals and entrepreneurs

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • The growing threat to transgender health care: implications for patients, providers, and trainees

      Carson Hartlage | Policy
    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored
    • A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

      Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Physician
    • From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Addressing Burnout in an Invisible Part of the Health Workforce
  • Family-Oriented Sedation Protocol Helps Kids With ASD Manage Routine Healthcare
  • Bariatric Surgery in Kids With Obesity Becoming More Common
  • NT-proBNP for All; Risky Weekend HF Admits; Ticagrelor for Infective Endocarditis?
  • Clinical Challenges: Test Your Knowledge of Dry Eye Disease

Meeting Coverage

  • New Model Aims to Study Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease
  • Hypertension Tied to Worse Survival After Surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancers
  • The Role of Amyloid PET in the Management of Alzheimer's Disease
  • New Inflammation Inhibitor Proves Effective and Safe for Dry Eye Disease
  • No Access to Routine Healthcare Biggest Barrier to HPV Vaccination
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

      Juliet Morgan and Meghan Jobson | Physician
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • Emulating Michael Jordan’s winning mindset: a path to success for health care professionals and entrepreneurs

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • The growing threat to transgender health care: implications for patients, providers, and trainees

      Carson Hartlage | Policy
    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored
    • A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

      Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Physician
    • From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...