How to encourage meeting attendance

Although physicians are required to attend myriad meetings, leaders should make attendance worth their while. To encourage better meeting attendance, medical staff leaders should consider the following tips:

• Keep meetings as brief as possible and ensure that they start and end on time.
• Offer incentives, such as continuing education credits (when appropriate) or compensation.
• Thank medical staff members periodically for attending meetings. Let them know that their input and participation are valuable. Meetings often extend physicians’ work days, so sending an occasional note is a nice way to acknowledge that sacrifice and express the medical staff’s appreciation.
• Give participants a manageable assignment at least five days before the meeting and ask them to report to the committee.
• Ask members to lead the discussion of a particular topic, provided they are knowledgeable and have time to prepare.