Jordan Wong, DO
Being efficient is something I take pride in. If a process can be improved, then it should be improved, and that belief has shaped the way I practice medicine. During residency, and now in my career as an attending physician, I became determined to reclaim every minute lost to inefficiency.
I started by examining my day in detail and taking an honest look at how I spent my time. From there, I evaluated each task and asked whether it could be delegated, deleted, or automated. This is still an ongoing process, and I genuinely enjoy finding and retrieving the seconds, minutes, and hours that would otherwise disappear without notice.
Due to my other roles at UNC Health, my clinic schedule is divided into long days and short days, with the long days loaded at the beginning of the week: I see patients from 7 to 5 on Monday and Tuesday, and from 7 to 12 on Wednesday through Friday. Within this structure, efficiency determines how my day feels.
I usually arrive around 6:30 a.m. The first thirty minutes belong to coffee, some music, and my in-basket. I typically start with 50 to 60 messages consisting of refills, results, records, and patient questions. I work through them based on cognitive effort: refills come first, then results, then records, and finally patient questions, since those often require the most thought. I start with the tasks that require the least cognitive effort so that I can avoid bottlenecks at the beginning of the day. Around 6:55 a.m., I check whether my first patient has arrived and get ready to start.
Right before each visit, I open the chart and review my last note. I write all of my notes in a consistent format to keep them readable and to help me reorient myself quickly. Once I have a sense of what we are focusing on, I go into the room at 7:00 a.m. and begin the visit.
My visits follow a deliberate structure. We address one problem at a time, and most of the conversation is guided by the information I know I will need for my documentation. This creates a focused, predictable flow. During the discussion, I enter orders and send prescriptions so that these tasks do not collect at the end. After the exam and patient education, we wrap up and move on.
I document in a problem-based format because it allows for efficient charting and quick review. Each problem is written as a concise first-person narrative. This approach keeps my notes purposeful and avoids unnecessary detail.
Smart phrases are central to my workflow. As a rule, if I have written or said something more than once, it becomes a smart phrase. This single habit has had the largest impact on my efficiency. It allows me to maintain detailed documentation and produce strong patient education. I encourage my patients to read their notes, and having standardized, clear, and concise documentation makes that easier for them.
After each visit, I spend one to two minutes completing the note. I prefer dictation because it helps me clarify my thoughts and produce clean, readable documentation quickly. Once the note is signed, I move on to the next patient.
If I finish a visit early or have a cancellation, I immediately return to my in-basket or administrative tasks. I follow the two-minute rule: if something takes less than two minutes, I handle it right away. These small work sessions prevent tasks from piling up and make the next day easier.
Lunch is non-negotiable. I do not use it to complete administrative work or patient care. I eat, drink tea, and often go outside for a walk with coworkers. That hour resets my mind and improves the quality of my afternoon.
The rest of the day mirrors the morning. At the end of the clinic, I spend 15 to 20 minutes finishing anything time-sensitive and making sure all notes are signed. Around 5:30 p.m., I turn off the lights, close the door, and go home without bringing work with me. My evenings belong to my family, my friends, and the things I enjoy.
Outpatient practice is demanding, but it does not need to dominate your life. I encourage you to look closely at how you spend your time and identify the places where you can reclaim it. Small adjustments add up, and the payoff is felt every single day.
