Setting the Stage

As people arrive use soft instrumental music to help them calm themselves. The informal social time over breakfast helps participants feel comfortable in the setting and allows some early networking. Start the orientation on time even if 90 per cent of the participants have not yet arrived; honor the time of the physicians who honored your time. Organize the meeting room with seating around a table and let each person give name, specialty, and group affiliation. Ask, “What appealed to you about practicing at this hospital? What concerns do you have as you start a practice here?” These opening questions help the participants see that their motives and challenges are not that different from the others.

Some Particulars

Have a sign in station so that you can record the names and contact information of the participants. Arrange for food services. At a minimum place an agenda, a small journal and a pen at each participant’s place. With amazing consistency about 40 per cent of new physicians show up without a pen or pencil. Consider providing some other materials like brochures on other programs that you have, especially brochures about mentors and mission work. Have the chaplain supply business cards. Provide a manual or flash drive with the deluge of information that you were tempted to use for the orientation. Finally, have an evaluation form to get program feedback. Much of the orientation depends on how the physician champion relates to the physicians. That feedback proves invaluable.

A Different Kind of Physician Orientation

Physicians have personal conversations during orientation, and therefore the environment must feel safe to them. To achieve the feeling of safety, limit the attendance to new physicians, a hospital chaplain, and you, the physician champion. If the Chief Executive Officer or other administrators want to present something, it should be at the very end.