How I Work Smarter: Megan Stobart-Gallagher, DO
One word that best describes how you work?
Innovative
Current mobile device
Galaxy S10
Computer
Lenovo Yoga (my 2nd one!)
What is something you are working on now?
I wish I could say something wonderfully innovative, but I am mostly just working on tying up numerous projects with our medical education fellows that resulted from the global shift to virtual learning. However, I have had a blast over the last few months building an asynchronous Toxicology curriculum with one of my fellows and a new EMS curriculum for our interns. My next project as chair of our clinical competency committee is to create a series of mini flipped-classroom sessions or asynchronous modules (or a combo!) for faculty development to help prepare junior faculty for their participation!
How did you come up with this Idea/Project?
It has been brewing since my first CCC meeting as a junior faculty meeting where I felt like a fish out of water and everyone else was speaking a language I had never heard before! I am hoping to make help to not only develop junior faculty’s knowledge of ACGME requirements but also to improve the quality of conversations had during our meetings!
What’s your office workspace setup like?
Currently tucked away in our 3rd-floor spare bedroom – a cozy space with natural light, and built-in bookshelves filled with EM texts and my children’s artwork. I am usually kept company by my live-in officemate, Hippo (a 7 year old rescue mutt!) with occasional visits from my girls.
What’s your best time-saving tip in the office or home?
If you have something you really want to dedicate time to completing – schedule it! Start your day by not opening your email and keeping your cell phone alerts off. It saves time in the long run – get in that Deep Work (and read that book by Cal Newport if you haven’t!)
What’s your best time-saving tip regarding email management?
While it is tempting to respond to every single email as soon as you see it – I try to triage them and respond to the emergent first and keep those that require more thought as “unread.” It helps me be able to focus longer amounts of time on projects/issues that really need it! Also, if it can be solved in a phone call or a text – just do that instead of filling up someone else’s email box!
What apps do you use to keep yourself organized?
I am old school and still use a written planner and post-it notes! But as for technology, my life lives on Google calendar.
How do you stay up to date with resources?
I usually binge EMRAP instead of Netflix! Also, anything that I assign my residents for asynchronous learning including EMedHome lectures or ALIEMu modules – I do first!
What’s your best time-saving tip in the ED?
Real-time verbal communication with nursing and ancillary staff.
ED charting: Macros or no macros?
I have templated notes for sign-outs and resident addendums so I do not miss any important information but try to limit macro utilization to keep my charting personable and conversational. It does slow me down but helps tell the story should a patient bounce back or if someone logs into Epic and needs to read my note!
Advice
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about work, life, or being efficient?
“You are enough.”
“When you see a hill, thank it for making you stronger.”
“Don’t hit send when you are angry.”
What advice would you give other doctors who want to get started, or who are just starting out?
Be kind to everyone you meet. Stay humble. Never stop asking questions.
Is there anything else you’d like to add that might be interesting to readers?
You can learn from EVERYONE inside and outside of medicine and just keep your mind open. Listening the first time will save you a tremendous amount of time in the long run – do it right, the first time. :)
Who would you love for us to track down to answer these same questions?
- @k_goodsell (Kelly Goodsell)
- @BossyLadyDoctor (Katrina Kissman)
Read other How I Work Smarter posts, sharing efficiency tips and life advice.
The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) resulted in the cancellation of educational experiences for emergency medicine (EM) residents at many institutions, including emergency medical services (EMS) ambulance ride alongs. The Accreditation for the Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires that residents have educational experiences related to EMS, emergency preparedness, and disaster medicine. EMS experiences must include ground unit runs, direct medical oversight, and participation in multi-casualty incident drills [1]. There are few dedicated EMS curricula published in the literature, and those in existence incorporate physical ride-alongs [2].
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Many of you are asked to take a leadership role within your department: managing a research team, joining your administration, or spearheading a clinical effort. It is easy to feel unprepared for these roles, and there are many pitfalls waiting to sabotage your team’s productivity.