BOSS Business of Surgery Series Amy Vertrees, MD

This episode talks about the Mastery in General Surgery program, which aims to provide advanced postgraduate training for surgeons interested in pursuing a career in general surgery. The program covers various aspects beyond clinical training, such as practice management, billing, legal issues, and the business side of surgery. Dr. Miller explains that the program is designed to address the shortage of general surgeons in the United States, particularly in rural and non-urban areas. He emphasizes that the program offers flexibility, allowing participants to tailor their training to their specific needs and interests. The program provides a safety net and mentorship for surgeons transitioning into practice, while also offering autonomy. Dr. Miller discusses the application process, program structure, curriculum, financing, and the benefits for both participants and hosting sites. The conversation also touches on the broader issue of maintaining competency and addressing gaps in surgical practice, highlighting the need for support and guidance within the surgical community.For more information, head to  Mastery in General Surgery Program

Summary

Dr. Vertrees shares insights and tips from experienced surgeons on navigating the transition, building relationships, managing expectations, and finding success in the new role. Key topics covered include understanding cultural differences, communicating effectively, asking for help, time management, handling complications, building a referral base, and redefining success beyond just being a surgeon. The episode emphasizes the importance of open communication, setting boundaries, and embracing personal and professional growth throughout one's surgical career.

Chapters

Introduction

Dr. Vertrees introduces the topic of pitfalls when joining a new practice and shares her motivation for creating a self-coaching course called 'Become the Boss MD Self-Coaching.' She highlights the importance of learning lessons not taught in residency to become a successful surgeon.

Transitioning from Residency to Practice

The host discusses the fundamental differences between residency and a job, emphasizing the shift in rules, culture, support systems, and expectations. She encourages surgeons to embrace their ability to influence their experience positively, even if the job does not initially meet their expectations.

Asking for Help and Building Relationships

The article stresses the importance of asking for help and building relationships with colleagues, nurses, and staff. It provides advice from experienced surgeons on when and how to ask for help, as well as tips for senior attendings on supporting and encouraging new graduates.

Managing Expectations and Communicating Effectively

The article discusses the concept of 'want match,' where both parties' desires align, and offers strategies for managing expectations and communicating effectively with partners. It emphasizes the importance of open communication, setting boundaries, and understanding each other's perspectives.

Time Management and Efficiency

The article provides tips on time management, including prioritizing tasks, creating templates, and setting aside 'CEO time' for working on the business. It also stresses the importance of completing notes promptly to avoid burnout and maintain a good reputation.

Building a Referral Base and Marketing

The article offers advice on building a referral base, such as meeting with primary care physicians and gastroenterologists, sending letters about patient care, and understanding the referral patterns in the practice. It also suggests marketing strategies for new graduates.

Handling Complications and Building Trust

The article discusses the importance of being present and communicating openly with patients and families when complications arise. It provides strategies for building trust and maintaining a good reputation, such as following Brené Brown's steps for shame resilience.

Redefining Success and Personal Growth

The article encourages surgeons to redefine success beyond just being a surgeon and to embrace personal and professional growth throughout their careers. It emphasizes the importance of finding satisfaction in efforts, relationships, and the ability to help others, rather than solely focusing on work identity.

Closing Thoughts and Resources

The host concludes by emphasizing the value of coaching and self-coaching for surgeons, and mentions her book 'Become the Boss MD, Success Beyond Residency' and the upcoming 'Become the Boss MD Self-Coaching' course.

Action Items


Head to bosssurgery.com to join the wait list for the Become the Boss MD Self-Coaching course, where there will be plenty of bonuses.
Get the book 'Become the Boss MD, Success Beyond Residency' at bosssurgery.com or anywhere books are sold, like amazon.com.
As a new graduate, ask for help as soon as you think it's the case, and don't hesitate to call your partners when you need assistance.
As a senior partner, pop into the operating room to check on new graduates and offer help without waiting for them to call.
Introduce new grad

The latest BOSS podcast features Dr. Kimberly Kopecky, a surgical oncologist researching the importance of aligning patients' expectations with reality in the context of cancer surgery.   Dr. Kopecky shares her background and motivation for pursuing surgical oncology and palliative medicine training to better communicate with patients and understand their values and expectations.   We talked about shared decision-making, eliciting patient preferences, addressing misunderstandings, and the challenges of managing expectations, particularly in cancer surgery where patients may not feel they have a choice.  

Dr. Kopecky highlights the need to complement shared decision-making with an explicit focus on aligning expectations and describes her ongoing research efforts to capture patients' experiences and incorporate them into preoperative discussions.  

The conversation also touches on the reluctance to study patient regret and the importance of open communication about potential outcomes and complications.

The latest BOSS podcast features Dr. Valerie Libby, a fertility doctor and reproductive endocrinologist. We talked about how it is never too early to talk about fertility.   She discusses her personal experience with egg freezing during her residency and the importance of fertility preservation for surgical residents.   Dr. Libby shares details about a program she started at Shady Grove Fertility to provide discounted egg freezing services specifically for surgical residents, as studies have shown they have a higher burden of infertility due to the demanding nature of their training.   We also talked about how egg freezing works, the legal implications surrounding embryos and more.


Visit the Shady Grove Fertility website and look up the 'Egg Freezing for Surgical Residents' program to find contact information and express interest in participating.

 

Valerie Libby, MD, MPH, FACOG  is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and board eligible in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including polycystic ovary syndrome, male factor infertility, and ovarian aging. She is also accomplished in the areas of fertility preservation and elective egg freezing. 

 

Dr. Libby joined Shady Grove Fertility in September 2020 and is seeing patients at SGF's Atlanta – Northside and Buckhead locations.   

Follow her @valerielibbymd on Instagram 

Egg Freezing for Surgical Residents Program: https://www.shadygrovefertility.com/treatments/egg-freezing/surgical-residents-program/ and email ResidentEggFreezing@USFertility.com 

 

Summary

This episode discusses advice for new attending physicians starting at a new practice. It covers topics such as building relationships with colleagues and the community, understanding the practice's expectations, seeking mentorship, negotiating contracts, and handling job transitions or losses. The key points include:- Doing due diligence when choosing a job to ensure the practice aligns with expectations and can support the desired specialty.- Being willing to say 'yes' to tasks outside one's specialty initially to build relationships and establish a patient base.- Seeking mentorship from experienced colleagues, former attendings, or specialty organizations for guidance.- Thoroughly reviewing employment contracts, understanding exit clauses, and negotiating favorable terms.- Maintaining professionalism and building trust with the local community to attract patient referrals.- Preparing for potential job changes or losses by understanding contract terms and having a support system.- Exploring entrepreneurial pursuits like podcasting to combat burnout and find fulfillment outside clinical practice.The discussion provides valuable insights for new attendings navigating the challenges of starting a medical practice and building a successful career.

 

Link to her article:https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/the-ftc-s-noncompete-rule-is-a-concerning-development-for-physicians