In this podcast, Dr. Jeremy Sharp shares strategies for streamlining evaluations such as consistent scheduling, day theming, report templates, and software tools like text expanders. He also discusses the benefits of having a referral list and offers tips for managing referrals more efficiently.
Consistent scheduling and day theming are effective strategies to streamline the evaluation process and enhance efficiency.
Utilizing software tools such as report templates, recommendations banks, text expansion software, and task management software significantly reduce time and effort in the evaluation process.
Deep dives
Streamlining the Evaluation Process
The podcast episode discusses strategies to streamline the evaluation process in psychological and neuropsychological assessment. The speaker emphasizes scheduling and software as the two key categories for effective streamlining. In terms of scheduling, consistent scheduling with intakes driving the workload and day theming are highlighted. The speaker suggests scheduling a consistent number of intakes to control the workload and avoid falling behind. Day theming involves grouping similar activities on specific days to minimize task switching and enhance focus. Additionally, the speaker recommends scheduling an extra hour after intakes to write or edit the history. As for software, having a report template is essential to save time, allowing clinicians to type without the need for extensive editing. The speaker also introduces the idea of a recommendations bank, a folder system with pre-made recommendations organized by diagnosis and age group. This allows for quick insertion of recommendations into reports. Employing text expansion software, such as "Text Expander," helps automate repetitive phrases and codes, improving efficiency. Lastly, using task management software or a simple Excel sheet assists in tracking the stages and steps of evaluation, preventing missed tasks or appointments. The speaker also suggests having a referral list readily available for easy access when making referrals. Implementing these strategies can increase efficiency and reduce overwhelm during the evaluation process.
Maintaining Efficiency with Scheduling
Scheduling is a crucial aspect of streamlining the evaluation process. Consistent scheduling is emphasized, with intakes acting as the starting point for the workload. By controlling and tracking the number of intakes scheduled, it becomes easier to manage the testing and feedback appointments. The speaker suggests breaking down the workload into small, manageable increments, such as scheduling a certain number of evals per month or week. Day theming is another effective strategy mentioned, where specific activities are allocated to designated days. By preserving focused blocks of time for tasks like intakes, testing, scoring, and report writing, clinicians can minimize cognitive load and task switching, leading to improved efficiency.
Optimizing Software for Streamlining
Software plays a significant role in streamlining the evaluation process. The speaker highlights several software-related strategies. First, having a report template saves time by eliminating the need to copy and paste from previous reports. It is recommended to create a customized report template, making it easily accessible from the desktop. A recommendations bank is another valuable tool, organized by diagnosis and age group, enabling clinicians to quickly insert relevant recommendations into reports. Utilizing text expansion software, like "Text Expander," is effective for automating repetitive phrases and codes, simplifying the report writing process. Additionally, employing task management software, such as Doc Health, Asana, or Trello, aids in tracking the various steps and stages of evaluation, preventing oversight or missed tasks. Lastly, maintaining a referral list readily available for clients facilitates making referrals efficiently and saves time in searching for relevant contact information.