Prioritisation GP Teaching HDR 14/9/10 Hayley Faries (ST1)

Overview Importance of prioritisation Stephen Covey matrix Tools Tips References

Definition Prioritisation – prioritise [praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz] vb (tr) 1. to arrange (items to be attended to) in order of their relative importance – 2. to give priority to or establish as a priority prioritisation, n – Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged Closely linked with time management – Time management is commonly defined as the management of time in order to make the most out of itmanagementtime

Why bother? Patient safety = #1 Efficient use of time Develop other skills – Delegation/ leadership/ teamwork Own well being – E.g. fit in lunch breaks – Ability to cope with stress Applicable to – Hospital and primary care – Acute and less immediate work load e.g. dictations/referrals Lifelong skill Potential interview Question!

Stephen Covey Matrix

Matrix examples Important and urgent – E.g. Pt with chest pain (in surgery waiting room/on ward or A+E) Important and not urgent – E.g. Chase bloods on pt Not important and urgent – E.g. Prescribe maintenance IVI that ran out Not important and non urgent – E.g. to request rota swap for holiday

Tools Make a list – Helpful to visualise; can go back and re-assess; prevents things getting missed/forgotten – Chasing jobs check box system – Electronic versus paper and pen Consider time constraints – E.g. TTO pharmacy closes in 30 mins Consider people constraints – Is someone waiting for you to complete the job? – E.g. GP waiting for discharge summary to issue new meds for pt

Tools (2) Consider the consequences – Not promptly seeing an A+E referral that may breech – trust financial implications Re-prioritise as necessary – Managing frequent interruptions Remove unimportant items – E.g. Jobs not appropriate for on call Dr – E.g. in A+E trying to obtain correct list of pts meds Keep the list small – Use of delegation

Tips Be flexible Try to concentrate on one task at a time Use the morning – E.g. read reason for attending/pts prev notes in GP – Chase bloods/ investigations before WR Take breaks Recognise when and who to ask for help from Be respectful of other staff/colleagues – (no matter how tired/annoyed you may be!) – You catch more flies with honey than vinegar Take care of yourself – Destress activity/ sleep/ eating breakfast etc.

References Covey, stephen The 7 Habits of highly effective people Mindtools.com EZinearticles –

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