Work load is unacceptable.
Physicians expected to see 20-25 patients (with nurse practitioner seeing 5 patients). During interview, it was expressed that physicians would see 18-20 patients "but there will be Nurse Practitioner support." What would have been more accurate is "you'll be expected to see 18-20 patients in addition to 5 with an NP." It makes what could be a great job into a very bitter experience. Since I have started working, in the past 2 months there have only been a handful of days with <20 patients.
Also, very little support with admits. Physician expected to admit during a 12 hour period that frequently receives 20-24 consults during that time. It is supposed to be "manageable" because NPs are there to help. The problem is you still have to see all those patients and be involved in developing a plan. Because of this, you have MDs frequently staying many hours beyond their shift. Also, this MD is expected to staff with an NP all the patients that were admitted by an NP during the 3 hours before the MD's true admitting shift. So really, the responsibility is essentially that of a 15 hour shift without the compensation. The last 3 hours of the shift are overlapped with the night person, but this has not softened the blow.
Despite expressing that we feel understaffed, the company/management has made it clear that their "productivity goals" will not budge. To me, this essentially means that profits are more important that physician and patient well-being.
