Tip of the week: Plan interventions with disruptive docs

Conducting an intervention with a disruptive medical staff member can be emotionally draining for even the most experienced physician leader. The process is made a bit easier if the leader is prepared. Planning the intervention involves answering the following series of questions:

• Who will conduct the intervention?
• Where will the intervention occur?
• When will the intervention occur?
• What are the goals of the intervention?
• What are the physician's likely responses and what will you do if he or she reacts as expected?
• What sources of influence will most likely cause a physician to discontinue disruptive behavior?
• What is your backup plan if the physician refuses to change?
• How will you know whether significant change has occurred?
• How will you document that intervention?

Editor's note: To learn more about how to conduct an intervention, check out HCPro's training video "Dealing with Disruptive Physicians: How to End Problem Physician Behavior Now'" by clicking here.