Here is a quick tip this Sunday. Have an automatic message when you get a text or email that says you batch your emails and check only a few times a day. If it’s an emergency, then patients should call you.
After you do this, remove the little red numbers next to messages and Gmail so that you don’t have the impulse to check them. And then……don’t check them except every few hours or so.
This will take some training, but it will release some of the phone addiction that is destroying all our lives. It will not decrease your service quality, and patients will understand. In fact, you can use this as a teaching point to them about addiction to technology.
Dr. Farrago is a retired family physician based in Forest, Virginia. Since 2021, he has run DPCnews.com, a leading resource for the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement.
He is the author of three best-selling books on Direct Primary Care:
The Official Guide to Starting Your Own Direct Primary Care Practice
The Direct Primary Care Doctor’s Daily Motivational Journal
Slowing the Churn in Direct Primary Care (While Also Keeping Your Sanity)
In 2016, Dr. Farrago conceived the idea for the Direct Primary Care Alliance and co-founded the organization alongside other pioneering DPC physicians. He is widely recognized as a leading expert in the DPC model and frequently lectures to medical students, residents, and practicing physicians on how to successfully start and run their own DPC practices.Dr. Farrago sold his Direct Primary Care practice in October 2020 but continues to receive care there as a patient.
One thought on “Don’t Let Your Phone Ruin Your Life”
Thank you so much for this wonderful reminder! It is so helpful and very validating!
Thank you so much for this wonderful reminder! It is so helpful and very validating!