In a recent MGMA Member Spotlight Podcast, host and Senior Editor Daniel Williams spoke with Adam Pople, a practice administrator attending his second MGMA Leaders Conference in Denver, held October 6-9. Pople discussed his goals for the event, his approach to managing staff burnout, and the importance of mentorship in healthcare leadership. His insights shed light on some of the key challenges that practice administrators face today.
Networking for Practical Solutions
Pople attended the conference with a focus on building connections that could help solve real-world problems. “Anytime I come to one of these conferences, my goals are to network, to meet folks who may be able to help me down the road if I’m coming up with a problem,” he said. Pople’s networking efforts aim to create a network of contacts that can provide support and insights when facing challenges in practice management.
Addressing Staff Burnout
A key session that stood out to Pople was a presentation on burnout. “No matter how often we talk about [burnout], we’re still talking about it,” he noted, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the issue. Pople highlighted the importance of engaging staff, saying it’s crucial to “reach out to our staff and the physicians around us and try and help folks that may be experiencing those stages of burnout.” He sees addressing burnout as a critical part of maintaining a productive work environment.
Managing Resources Amid Rising Costs
Pople also addressed the challenges of managing resources in an environment where costs continue to rise. “There’s never enough money to go around. Payment always seems to go down, and costs go up,” he explained. For Pople, finding ways to stretch limited resources is an ongoing challenge. The conference provided an opportunity to explore new strategies and learn from others facing similar constraints.
Planning and Flexibility at the Conference
Pople described his approach to attending conference sessions as a balance between planning and openness to new ideas. “I tend to plan a few sessions that I think are just like topics of interest… Then, I always try and fit in a couple where I probably need to work on that area,” he shared. This method allowed him to delve into familiar topics while also addressing areas for growth in his role as a practice administrator.
Building Connections Beyond Formal Sessions
Informal networking played a big role in Pople’s conference experience. He participated in gatherings like happy hours and casual meetups, aiming to meet as many attendees as possible. “I just tried to introduce myself to anybody and get conversations going,” he said. These encounters, he noted, often led to valuable exchanges that complemented the more structured learning sessions.
The Role of Mentorship
Pople also served as a mentor at the conference, guiding a first-time attendee through the event. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “Sometimes, being in a leadership position, you feel like you’re a little bit on an island. Having somebody that you can just reach out to is helpful.” His own experience as a mentee in earlier programs informed his approach, which emphasizes providing support and guidance to others entering the field.
Conclusion
Pople’s discussion on the MGMA Member Spotlight Podcast offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities in healthcare leadership, from managing burnout to navigating resource constraints. His focus on networking and mentorship underscores the importance of building connections in the industry. For more details from this episode, visit the MGMA Member Spotlight Podcast page on MGMA.com.
Resources Mentioned:
- Visit the MGMA Website for resources, educational materials, and upcoming events.
- Learn more about leadership opportunities and networking within MGMA by attending the MGMA Leaders Conference.
- Explore mentorship opportunities within the MGMA network.
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