I recently got a question submitted to me that I wanted to answer for everyone. I think it is a great question and one that many of you are probably thinking.
Q: How do you handle the transitions of leaving? Unlike most jobs where you give 2 weeks notice we give 90 days. I’m really dreaded patients being upset, staff upset, etc..
This is such a relevant topic because we get ZERO training on how to leave your current practice. The expectation is that you will be there forever and ever, amen. (But this is just not realistic.) So let me give you my top 10 tips on how to leave your practice well!
Tip #1
Seek out legal counsel before you give your notice.
Having a good attorney who understands physician contracts and Healthcare law is definitely a must. They will want to review your contract to see what obligations you have to fulfill upon terminating your physician contract, what the other party has to fulfill and then look at the grey areas. It's really important to know what your responsibilities are.
Also, an attorney should advise you on what date you should potentially quit on. I say this because you may be eligible for certain bonuses if you stay employed until a certain length of time or date. No sense of letting money lie around on the table!
Tip #2
Understand that once you tell one person about your resignation, it will spread like wildfire.
Unfortunately, this is a truth that I know all too well. Be warned ahead of time that as soon as you tell someone that you are leaving the office, understand that it will no longer be your secret. This has made for many ugly incidents for many physicians so I caution you. Make sure to first tell the people who need to know about your resignation FIRST. That way, they don't hear about it through the gossip channels.
Tip #3
Prepare yourself for leaving your current position like you are breaking up or getting divorced.
This sound really harsh let me explain. You are intimately connected with your current practice and the people. So with you leaving, they are going to feel betrayed, hurt, sad and/or angry. Some people will get over these emotions quickly however not everyone. So, just be ready for when you get negative comments made to you because of your decisions.
Not everyone is going to understand your reasons and that's okay. Not everyone is going to support you and that's okay.
You just need to understand why this is the best move forward for you and hold to it. If you are really intent on making this step forward in your life, then don't let people shake you up.
Tip #4
Be prepared for all the feels.
Leaving my practice and patients will feel like breaking up with somebody a hundred different times every single day for months! Be prepared for your own emotions. Some people get angry. Some get sad. Some are joyful and excited for you. Just acknowledge that as you start to tell patients about leaving this practice, it will feel like breaking up with all the feels.
Tip #5
Everyone will ask you your future plans.
Another tough one..you want to finish this job well but you're also excited about what the future holds and want to tell other. Or you may be on the opposite end of the spectrum and not know what you're going to do next and therefore don't have any plans. Or perhaps you have plans but you really don't want to share it with anyone.
Many patients are thinking, “What am I going to do?” They are asking for somewhat selfish reasons to try to figure out their own next step and if they can follow you. Some just want to congratulate you on where you're going next. Others want to know so they can rationalize you leaving to get over the breakup of you leaving (The assumption I heard a lot, “Oh you want to spend more times with your kids" even though I never really said this).
Just prepare yourself with a statement that you are comfortable sharing with everyone. You could say, “I'm just making some changes in my life.” Or you could tell them the full truth and what you're doing next. It’s also ok to say, “I'm not willing to share that right now.”
Be aware that some contracts have a “gag clause” that doesn't allow you to share this kind of information or allow you to take any patients/staff with you. Make sure you understand if you're under some sort of legal restrictions and also make sure you communicate that with your patients so they understand.
Tip #6
Understand that your current place of employment is going to move on beyond you.
Administrators and/or partners from the job you're leaving will start to make plans that don't involve you. They will start to remodel your office. They will hire someone else to take your position. They will do this before you are gone. Don't take it personal. They are moving on because you too are moving on.
Tip #7
Get your paperwork in line.
Understand your malpractice insurance coverage. Make sure that either your current policy has tail coverage or your future employer will be covering.
Remember your DEA, CSR, State Licensing numbers stay with you and don’t change but the addresses will need to change to the new location where you will be prescribing prescriptions.
Also, some professional organizations will want you to update your new business location. Your state may also require notification if you're moving locations as well.
Depending if your new employer takes care of all of your insurance credentialing, you'll also have to go through a new credentialing process. Totally sucks.
Tip #8
Get your house in order
With this one I’m saying make sure you review your personal stuff that will be impacting by your resignation.
Health insurance may change on, before or after your quit date. It's important to know your health insurance coverage for you and your family so make sure you talk to your current HR or business officer who was in charge of this. There are lots of options (COBRA, open market, health insurance through professional organizations, new healthcare through new employment) so don't get fearful but "going without."
If you have any retirement accounts with your current employer, this is also an important area to look at your account options. Your 401k may be able to sit and simmer right where it is or you might need to move to a new account. For further advice, make sure you talk to a certified investment professional who can help you understand how to make these transfers without big penalties.
Understand when you should be receiving your last paycheck, incentives and bonuses. That way you can pay well for your personal bills but also make sure, "Oh we forgot to pay you because you quit."
Tip #9
Try to have a transition plan in place
You may not be able to tell patients what exactly is going to happen after you leave but try to have a theoretical plan for your own peace of mind. This can be done by referring them to a colleague who currently has an open panel/taking new patients and the similar skillset that you do. This made be referring them to whoever is replacing you.
Work with your staff so they understand how this will impact them. Potentially, they could be losing their jobs or transferred. This can cause hard feelings but by having a transition plan, it can ease tension.
In most states, you have a legal obligation to take care of patients 30 days after they have been notified of a resignation. So, make sure that you get your notification out to patients at a minimum of the state requirement. I would actually encourage you to do that sooner so that you, your staff and patients can all be prepared. Though others would disagree with me and comment to just give the required time and break ties.
I know that some organizations worried that there will be a Mass Exodus of patients and a loss of significant amounts of money. So, I would challenge those organizations to work well with you on making a smoother transition plan to (1) keep these patients within their system if that is what is desired and (2) support employees you previously work with you so they also do not leave the organziation.
Tip #10
It's going to be hard, embrace the suck
Unlike most other jobs, physician typically MUST give a 90-180 days notice of leave. That’s a long time to sit in a transition. To me, it felt like I wanted to just rip the bandaid off and be done with it. But instead the transition felt like an open wound with salt being rubbed in it daily!
So, acknowledge that it’s going to be long and going to hurt BUT you are trying to take the next best step forward.
I challenge you to try to make these last days the best of whatever they can be. I know there's always a lot of hard feelings around when somebody quits but try to stay as positive as you can. Again, continue to remind yourself while you're doing this. Make sure to get lots of support from your family and close friends. Remind yourself of the following:
This is only temporary.
Try to embrace the situation and learn something.
Don't get sucked into negativity.
Ask for help and support when you need it.
Tell the people you care about how much you appreciate them.
Stay true to yourself.
