Trina E. Dorrah is an internal medicine physician and the author of Physician’s Guide to Surviving CGCAHPS & HCAHPS. She can be reached at Dr Trina Dorrah Life Coaching.

It’s time for burnout to become a quality metric

Physician
November 1, 2023

I completed a fellowship in quality improvement, making quality metrics an integral part of my career for the past 15 years.

At times, these metrics can be frustrating, especially when reimbursement is tied to constantly shifting targets.

Yet, health systems invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to improve quality metrics because Medicare mandates it.

This led me to contemplate:

What if Medicare included burnout as a quality metric?

What if health systems were …

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It’s time for burnout to become a quality metric

Physicians did not go to provider school

Physician
September 8, 2022

“If both of you are the same, then one of you is unnecessary.”

That’s one of my brother-in-law’s favorite quotes, and I think it’s applicable to the ongoing debate for physicians to be called “physicians” instead of “providers.”

When you think about what’s been happening in health care, physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners are advertised as equivalent.

How is this equivalence being promoted? By lumping us all into the same category called …

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Physicians did not go to provider school

The silent burden of shame

Physician
February 5, 2022

Shame.

It’s what keeps physicians silent. It’s what keeps physicians from getting the help they need.

I’ve been a successful doctor for many years, but I’ve lived with the shame of having an eating disorder. It was my secret that hardly anyone in my life knew about.

No more. My shame is gone, and I’m ready to tell you my story.

When I was in eating disorder recovery, my …

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The silent burden of shame

How divorce helped this physician

Physician
February 2, 2021

I got married the day after I graduated from medical school to someone I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with. Seven years later, we were divorced.

Even though a high percentage of marriages end in divorce, there is still a stigma that many of us who divorce feel. I had already completed residency and was an attending by the time I got divorced, and I remember feeling so …

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How divorce helped this physician

When we coach, we change the lives of our children

Physician
September 10, 2020

For the past six months, I’ve spent my free time becoming a certified life coach. I’m a hospitalist, but a little more than a year ago, I was introduced to life coaching. I love the changes it has produced in my life – particularly how it’s changed me as a mother. Coaching helps me to be more present for my family and more emotionally available for my kids. It’s changed …

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When we coach, we change the lives of our children

To medical students and residents: It really does get better

Physician
October 20, 2014

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I recently attended my 10-year medical school reunion class party, and I have to admit, I had a great time. From the beginning, my class was special. We had 104 amazing people who were truly inspired to make a difference.

However, regardless of how talented and hard working you are, medical school is one of the most challenging things you will ever …

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To medical students and residents: It really does get better

What the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders can teach us about hiring doctors

Physician
October 13, 2014

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I’ll admit it. I like reality TV. In fact, one of my favorite reality TV shows is Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team. It shows what it takes to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader (DCC). Why am I talking about cheerleading in a health care blog? Because the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders put more effort into hiring cheerleaders than most health care …

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What the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders can teach us about hiring doctors

3 things a restaurant taught me about patient satisfaction

Physician
August 24, 2014

A few weeks ago, my husband and I took my parents to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. I was excited to go because the food is excellent and the customer service is top notch. In the past, I’d always had a great experience … until then.

That night, the restaurant was packed as they were offering half-priced desserts. My husband and I arrived first. I noticed when we ordered …

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3 things a restaurant taught me about patient satisfaction

One more thing syndrome: 4 tips for doctors to stay on time

Physician
August 8, 2014

“Doc, can I ask you one more thing?”

These words are classic symptoms for those patients suffering from the “one more thing” syndrome. We’ve all been there. The visit has ended, your hand is on the doorknob, and you’re about to leave the room. Precisely at that moment, your patient stops you and says he has one more thing to discuss.

You think to yourself, “No! I almost made it out of …

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One more thing syndrome: 4 tips for doctors to stay on time

Patient satisfaction has come full circle. Why you need to care.

Physician
July 31, 2014

I get it. It is a little strange. In fact, some people even think I’m crazy. Why? I’m a physician, but in my free time, I love helping my colleagues improve their patient satisfaction. Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time discussing a patient satisfaction survey known as CG-CAHPS (Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems). I’m sure it doesn’t surprise you to learn that CG-CAHPS is …

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Patient satisfaction has come full circle. Why you need to care.