Do you listen to podcasts? They’re little stories for grownups; small blocks of info that you can listen to while you’re doing almost anything. I remember story time in elementary school so well. The classroom lights would be off, and we would put our heads down on our desks. I remember one nun had the most beautiful reading voice; I would wait all day for storytime.
Podcasts are one way you can feed yourself information or ideas, get continuing education credits, or just relax while someone reads to you. Some people listen to podcasts as they’re falling asleep, and others listen while they’re exercising. Even though the podcasts I’m describing here are for professional enlightenment, you can find podcasts on just about any topic you choose.
Here are a few podcast sites for healthcare managers, and one for managers in general. You can listen by clicking on the website, or if you want to listen away from your computer, you can load it onto your iPod or other MP3 player.
SoundPractice has podcasts abstracted from The Journal of Medical Practice Management (both available from Greenbranch Publishing) as well as interviews with “health leaders and interesting people involved in the American health care system.”
Manager Tools just won Best Business Podcast Award for the third year in a row. The producers of the podcasts recommend new listeners start with Manager Basics that cover core principles that underly the Manager Tools philosophy. A comment from the producer was, “…healthcare management is the hardest management job in the world…if Manager Tools works there (and it does, say our healthcare clients), it will work anywhere.”
P.S. I checked the MGMA/ACMPE website to see if continuing education credits are available for podcasts, but it wasn’t clear. If anyone knows, would you leave a comment and let me know?
Related posts:
- How Much Do Medical Practice Managers Make?
- What Does a Medical Practice Manager Do?
- ABCs: Checklist for a New Practice or a Newly Purchased Practice
- The 5 IT Skillsets Every Physician Practice Manager Needs to Succeed in 2009 and Beyond
- 101 Ideas for Increasing Revenue and Decreasing Expenses in Your Medical Practice
Mary Pat,
I’m excited you’re highlighting podcasts! I think podcasts are especially great for medical practice managers who are crunched for time, but could listen in during their commute.
At the MGMA 2008 Annual Conference, myself and the MGMA communications team produced several podcasts on a variety of topics. Here’s where you can check them out: http://www.mgma.com/podcasts
Caren Baginski
Mary Pat,
MGMA doesn’t offer credits for podcasts at this time.
Hi Caren,
Thanks so much for your comment. I checked on the MGMA podcasts when writing this post, but did not want to confuse readers as the other podcasts I discussed were available without membership,
For anyone considering membership in MGMA, I see that a 14-day trial membership is now available – what a great idea!
Mary Pat
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your response! As podcasts become more mainstream, maybe they will be considered for credit at some point in the future.
Mary Pat
Just following up to note that MGMA podcasts are public and available to everyone. We do record podcasts with our members (as well as other sources), but anyone can listen to them.
Caren
Caren,
Thanks so much for the clarification. I hope everyone goes to http://www.mgma.com and checks out the offering of podcasts!
Mary Pat