1. Block Off Time for Non-Appointment Tasks

Seeing patients may be your focus, but calling clients with diagnostic results and completing medical records are equally important tasks. If you plan to fit these in between appointments, you'll be left with a long to-do list at the end of the day. Instead, block off time in your schedule to accommodate random tasks that otherwise pile up. If the open blocks in your schedule are regularly taken over by last-minute appointments, set aside more time until you find the perfect balance.

2. Delegate Tasks

Does your need to ensure everything is done perfectly mean that you do it all yourself? If so, it's time to trust your team to do their jobs, so you can focus on yours. The time you spend placing IV catheters and taking X-rays could be better spent creating treatment plans or preparing for your next appointment.

3. Stay on Top of Your Medical Records

No one wants to finish their daily appointments only to sit down to a waiting stack of medical records. The key is to complete each patient's medical record during or immediately after their appointment. This method prevents you from falling behind and improves accuracy, as you're more likely to leave out important details at the end of the day when you're tired and hours have passed since the appointment.

4. Establish Workflow Protocols

Does your team know exactly what to do during appointments and procedures? Establishing workflow protocols will let your team know how to support you and become more efficient. For example, a protocol for drop-off appointments will ensure your team collects all the necessary information from the owner before they leave, instead of having to play phone tag to find out if Fluffy has eaten. Your team can maximise their efficiency; they just need to know how.

5. Take Advantage of Your Reference Lab's Support

Advanced reference labs offer a variety of support options that can increase efficiency. Instead of researching diseases after receiving confusing diagnostic results, why not lean on the specialists provided by your reference lab? Instead of adding more tests after inconclusive results, choose options that include reflex testing so you receive an answer sooner. Some labs also provide service consultations to help optimise your workflows and reduce inefficiencies.

6. Automate Common Tasks

Could you teach a pet owner how to administer insulin in your sleep? How about writing up a surgery report for a neutering operation? For repetitive tasks and conversations like these, automation can save you a lot of time. Rather than showing an owner how to mix insulin, for example, record yourself drawing up the correct amount, restraining the animal and giving the injection. Have the owner watch the demonstration video in your examination room, and send them the link so they can watch it again at home – and show other family members. Instead of writing surgery and appointment reports from scratch, create templates that allow you to simply fill in the relevant details.

7. Silence Distractions

Consider this scenario: as you sit down to go through your daily emails, your phone dings with a text message. After several messages back and forth with a friend about their sick cat, you hop online to research a few diseases on your differential list. Twenty minutes later, your next appointment is waiting, and your inbox is still full. Does this sound familiar? Silencing your phone and computer alerts can allow you to focus on answering emails – or whatever task you need to complete – for a solid block of time without interruptions.

8. Prepare for Appointments

Block off 15 to 20 minutes towards the end of your day to prepare for the next day's appointments. Look through each patient's medical record to see what you recommended at their last appointment, and jot down a few notes you can reference before heading into the room. Being organised will help prevent you from frantically searching through the medical record as you walk in the door and keep you on track during the day.

9. Use Time Management Tools

With an array of available tools designed to help you make more of your time, there are sure to be options that fit your personality and preferences. Try using a time management app, such as Trello or MyLifeOrganized, to stay on track. You can also explore the efficiencies offered by your practice management software, as practices rarely take advantage of the full spectrum of tools available. Still hesitant to engage with telehealth? Try conducting a few Zoom consultations or follow-up appointments, and see how much time it saves. You may be an instant convert.

Getting everything done by closing time may seem impossible, but these time management tips can help you work more efficiently, decrease distractions and find more time in the day. Make yourself a promise to get home on time – and stick to it. Try to incorporate self-care ideas for when you're short on time, too. Your well-being and mental health are worth it.