Strategies for Your Program

1) Pre-allot Appointment Time

One issue that frequently causes residents to not schedule appointments is the feeling that they do not have a backup, or are unable to be away from their main responsibility. Chief residents can help mitigate this by building into the schedule dedicated time for cross-coverage to allow for everyone to make appointments.

2) Request Extended Clinic Hours for Residents

Many residency programs already exist within hospital systems that have a full suite of primary care clinics. Request the program administration to offer before or after shift appointment options for residents.

3) Set Clear Expectations

At the beginning of each resident year, chief residents should make it clear that everyone is allowed to make time for necessary appointments and that they should not feel bad for doing so. Ambiguity makes it so that uncertainty reigns.