From USC
Tick, tick, tick: For all those erudite young folk eager for careers in law or medicine, the Trojans offer a little glimpse into just how hectic those professional lives can be. Appearing recently at the law school, for example, an alum talked about his breakthrough business, a telephone system that lets lawyers call in to court from their offices to deal with matters that might otherwise have required them to crisscross the Southland. The innovation, launched in the LA Superior Courts, has become a booming business, handling 2 million appearances and serving 1,500 federal and state courtrooms in 42 states. Take note, though, of the anecdote about its launch, with the founder-lawyer stuck in traffic for a 40-mile round trip for an appearance lasting less than five minutes but costing him and, of course, his client, a total of several hours of motoring and several hundred dollars in billing time. And, meantime, a Trojan industrial engineer has turned his attention to how physicians might better schedule patients. Among his efficiency tips: The doc's staff should ensure that everything she needs is in the examining room before she even steps in there; tardy, unfocused and chatty patients should be corralled better; waiting rooms should be equipped with suitable pastimes, including current magazines and maybe even wi-fi. It helps if appointments get set for times just after the staff and docs have arrived and settled, not at the same opening time as they actually get there. And, by the way: one patient, the expert suggests, should be booked every five to 10 minutes during the available time. Wheeee.
Alum tells of founding business to let busy lawyers call in for court appearances
Industrial engineer advises MDs on how to schedule office visits efficiently
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