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

Gathering clinician feedback at a growing practice 

Ram Krishnan, MBA
Tech
December 15, 2023
Share
Tweet
Share

Provider feedback is a powerful tool for behavioral health practices, as it is a valuable indicator of whether or not patient care is on the right track. Gathering feedback, and then acting on it, can also improve a practice’s efficiency.

Fostering an open environment, one where providers feel heard and valued improves provider retention. Provider retention is key for any behavioral health practice because when a provider leaves, there is a ripple effect—their patients will need to be transitioned to other staff members, a replacement will need to be hired and trained, and there is a risk of losing patients.

Consistently listening to providers, actively seeking their input, and translating that input into action can make a practice be more effective and grow. Regular check-ins with employees offer several benefits:

Efficiency. Providers are the backbone of a practice, and they know its ins and outs. They can identify bottlenecks or processes that may be hindering the practice.

Staff satisfaction. When providers feel that their voices are heard and their insights are valued, it boosts job satisfaction and builds loyalty. A content and engaged staff is more likely to provide high-quality care.

Patient care. Involving providers in shaping a practice ensures that patient care remains the central focus. Insights from providers can lead to improvements in the quality or delivery of care.

Creating a supportive feedback culture

Collaboration and transparency are key for collecting provider feedback. A practice’s leadership plays a pivotal role in creating an environment where providers feel comfortable sharing honest opinions; they can build trust by demonstrating that diverse perspectives are valued and taken seriously. Fostering an open and non-judgmental atmosphere makes it more likely that providers will share their feedback.

Here are some key strategies for creating a supportive feedback culture:

Open-door policy. Make it clear to providers that the door is always open for feedback. Encourage them to bring up any concerns or suggestions they have as they arise.

Non-punitive approach. Providers should not fear repercussions for providing feedback. Emphasize that feedback is an opportunity for improvement, not a tool for punishment.

Regular check-ins. Establish a routine of regular check-ins with employees. Whether informal discussions, structured meetings, or anonymous surveys, the key is consistency. Offer regular opportunities for providers to express their thoughts—and to address their needs.

Implementing anonymous feedback mechanisms

ADVERTISEMENT

Anonymous feedback channels, such as surveys and suggestion boxes, are powerful tools for gathering honest opinions. Anonymity removes barriers and encourages providers to contribute their true perspectives, leading to valuable insights. It provides a platform for people to share their unfiltered opinions, which can uncover issues that may otherwise have gone unnoticed. Providers may sometimes be reluctant to voice concerns openly. They may fear possible consequences or they may simply find it uncomfortable to address issues directly. Anonymous feedback mechanisms ensure that even the most cautious or reserved providers can participate in the feedback process.

Third-party platforms, apps, or hotlines can make sense as additional ways for providers to give feedback while remaining anonymous.

Conducting regular feedback sessions

Scheduled feedback sessions are a critical component of gathering provider feedback—the regularity fosters a sense of engagement. Such sessions can be structured to cover specific topics, ensuring that feedback goes beyond the surface level. Follow-up surveys can take feedback even further.

Here’s how to structure feedback sessions effectively:

Define objectives. Clearly outline the purpose of the feedback session. For example, it could be to discuss recent changes, brainstorm improvements, or address patient feedback.

Prepare agendas. Have a structured agenda for each feedback session focused on relevant issues.

Encourage participation. A comfortable and non-judgmental setting, where providers feel encouraged to participate, is crucial for productivity.

Set action items. Conclude each session by setting clear action items. Assign responsibilities, including deadlines, and establish timelines for implementing feedback-driven improvements.

Utilizing technology for feedback

Instant feedback mechanisms nurture a culture of continuous improvement and allow for prompt resolutions. Whether it’s through online surveys or dedicated apps, technology can streamline the feedback process. Technology has revolutionized the way feedback is collected and analyzed across the health care industry.

Here’s how these advances apply to provider feedback:

Real-time insights. In behavioral health, immediacy sometimes matters. With real-time knowledge, practices can act right away on issues directly impacting patient care.

Efficiency. Technology streamlines the feedback process, making it faster and easier for providers to share their thoughts.

Accessibility. Mobile apps, online platforms, and hotlines make it easy for providers to share feedback from anywhere and at any time.

Depending on how feedback is collected, any associated data can be analyzed and trended to gain further insights or measure progress.

Analyzing and implementing feedback

When providers take time to offer feedback, it’s crucial to implement feasible suggestions and communicate these changes back to providers. This showcases the value of their input and demonstrates the practice’s commitment to improvement. When any concerns are taken seriously, providers are more likely to be invested in the feedback process.

Practices should analyze data and identify common themes, recurring issues, and any areas that require immediate attention. Prioritize the most urgent areas and those that will have the most significant impact on practice efficiency and patient care.

Recognizing and appreciating provider input

Examining provider feedback will offer direct insights into what is working well and highlight improvements that can be made in a practice, from administrative processes to the way that care is delivered.

Recognizing the value of provider feedback, no matter the scope, can motivate providers to participate in the feedback process. Recognition can be a key driver for engagement and create a sense of ownership among providers. When providers see that their feedback leads to positive changes, they become more motivated to continue providing input. Changes reinforce the idea that their views matter.

Making feasible changes builds a culture of teamwork and collaboration within the practice—providers can see that everyone is working together toward common goals. The feedback process becomes a continuous loop of improvement, with providers sharing insights and seeing positive changes implemented.

Improving a practice using provider feedback

Provider assessment and feedback offer numerous benefits for behavioral health practices. Gathering feedback and implementing improvements mean increased efficiency, higher staff satisfaction, and ultimately, better patient care. Creating a supportive feedback culture, using anonymous feedback mechanisms, conducting regular feedback sessions, and harnessing technology are a few keys to success.

Ram Krishnan joined Valant in 2020 as an experienced technology executive to lead the organization through its next stage of growth. His passion for listening to customers and building strong teams, coupled with his demonstrated ability to drive scalability, provides a solid foundation for Valant to grow as it discovers new ways to serve the behavioral health care market.

Prev

Protect your brain with a good night's sleep

December 15, 2023 Kevin 0
…
Next

Is it noble or selfish to never practice medicine after getting a medical degree?

December 15, 2023 Kevin 3
…

Tagged as: Health IT, Practice Management

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Protect your brain with a good night's sleep
Next Post >
Is it noble or selfish to never practice medicine after getting a medical degree?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Ram Krishnan, MBA

  • How to run a successful group therapy session

    Ram Krishnan, MBA
  • Mental health treatment plan goals: Setting providers and patients up for success

    Ram Krishnan, MBA
  • Coupling behavioral health prescriptions with measurement-based care

    Ram Krishnan, MBA

Related Posts

  • The value of in-person feedback

    Micaela Stevenson
  • Why building your social media following is critical to your practice’s success

    Sheila Nazarian, MD
  • 6 ways to give quality feedback to medical students

    Micaela Stevenson
  • You’re given feedback to “read more.” What do you do next?

    Stephanie Wellington, MD
  • How to start reversing the clinician shortage today

    Timothy Lee, MPH
  • Growing pains: clinical training during COVID-19

    Kevin Jiang

More in Tech

  • The silent threat in health care layoffs

    Todd Thorsen, MBA
  • In medicine and law, professions that society relies upon for accuracy

    Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD
  • “Think twice, heal once”: Why medical decision-making needs a second opinion from your slower brain (and AI)

    Harvey Castro, MD, MBA
  • Why fearing AI is really about fearing ourselves

    Bhargav Raman, MD, MBA
  • Health care’s data problem: the real obstacle to AI success

    Jay Anders, MD
  • What ChatGPT’s tone reveals about our cultural values

    Jenny Shields, PhD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How dismantling DEI endangers the future of medical care

      Shashank Madhu and Christian Tallo | Education
    • How scales of justice saved a doctor-patient relationship

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician
    • “Think twice, heal once”: Why medical decision-making needs a second opinion from your slower brain (and AI)

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Tech
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Do Jewish students face rising bias in holistic admissions?

      Anonymous | Education
    • Why shared decision-making in medicine often fails

      M. Bennet Broner, PhD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • What’s driving medical students away from primary care?

      ​​Vineeth Amba, MPH, Archita Goyal, and Wayne Altman, MD | Education
    • Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting

      American College of Physicians | Physician
    • A faster path to becoming a doctor is possible—here’s how

      Ankit Jain | Education
    • Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Are quotas a solution to physician shortages?

      Jacob Murphy | Education
    • The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
  • Recent Posts

    • Bureaucracy over care: How the U.S. health care system lost its way

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
    • ER threats aren’t rare anymore—they’re routine

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • JFK warned us about physical fitness. Sixty years later, we’re still not listening.

      Alexandre Bourcier, MD | Conditions
    • The silent threat in health care layoffs

      Todd Thorsen, MBA | Tech
    • Why true listening is crucial for future health care professionals [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Love on life support: a powerful reminder from the ICU

      Syed Ahmad Moosa, MD | Physician

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

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How dismantling DEI endangers the future of medical care

      Shashank Madhu and Christian Tallo | Education
    • How scales of justice saved a doctor-patient relationship

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician
    • “Think twice, heal once”: Why medical decision-making needs a second opinion from your slower brain (and AI)

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Tech
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Do Jewish students face rising bias in holistic admissions?

      Anonymous | Education
    • Why shared decision-making in medicine often fails

      M. Bennet Broner, PhD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • What’s driving medical students away from primary care?

      ​​Vineeth Amba, MPH, Archita Goyal, and Wayne Altman, MD | Education
    • Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting

      American College of Physicians | Physician
    • A faster path to becoming a doctor is possible—here’s how

      Ankit Jain | Education
    • Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Are quotas a solution to physician shortages?

      Jacob Murphy | Education
    • The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
  • Recent Posts

    • Bureaucracy over care: How the U.S. health care system lost its way

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
    • ER threats aren’t rare anymore—they’re routine

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • JFK warned us about physical fitness. Sixty years later, we’re still not listening.

      Alexandre Bourcier, MD | Conditions
    • The silent threat in health care layoffs

      Todd Thorsen, MBA | Tech
    • Why true listening is crucial for future health care professionals [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Love on life support: a powerful reminder from the ICU

      Syed Ahmad Moosa, MD | Physician

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...