We’ve all been there, sitting in a virtual meeting, our eyes glaze over, and our minds wander as yet another PowerPoint slide drones on. The experience can make even the most dedicated health care professional question the value of meetings altogether.

But in health care settings, meetings can be a matter of life and death. Physicians and health care administrators are tasked with managing complex care teams, staying up-to-date on rapidly-evolving medical knowledge, and ensuring that patients receive the best possible care, all while working within tight budget constraints. With a meeting policy like Shopify’s, health care providers can ensure that meetings are as productive and efficient as possible, leaving more time and resources to focus on patient care.

Imagine a physician running from patient to patient, their beeper constantly going off with meeting reminders. It’s enough to make them want to scream – or, at the very least, throw their beeper out the window. But with designated meeting-free days and windows for large meetings, they can finally breathe a sigh of relief and focus on what matters most: their patients.

And for administrators who are drowning in a sea of virtual meetings, a “no-meeting Wednesday” policy can be a lifesaver. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on emails, review budgets, and make critical decisions without the constant interruptions and distractions that come with back-to-back meetings.

Of course, virtual meetings do have their unique challenges in health care settings, like the constant battle against technical glitches and the need to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality. But with a well-planned meeting policy that prioritizes patient care and provider well-being, health care providers can ensure that virtual meetings are just as productive and efficient as in-person ones.

So let’s take a cue from Shopify and prioritize the well-being of our health care providers and the quality of care for our patients by embracing a meeting policy that recognizes health care settings’ unique challenges and priorities. After all, a well-planned meeting policy can increase productivity, reduce burnout, and ensure that health care providers can perform their best and deliver the best possible care to their patients. As health care providers, we owe it to ourselves and our patients to constantly improve and innovate. A more effective and efficient meeting policy is just one small but essential step in that direction.

Saurabh Gupta is an interventional cardiologist.