Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with Health:Further to discuss the future of healthcare for practicing physicians, including the pros and cons of consolidation in healthcare and a transition back to a more individualized care model. Managing the polarity of physician quality of life vs. autonomy, the question of rural care access, and the wider… Read More »
Unfortunately, I do not always take the time to read the comments to posts or articles made by my colleagues, but today I did. Regardless of the topic, the same theme emerges, “if you just let me practice how I believe I should, all will be well.” Containing numerous layers and meanings, this comment, at its core, is… Read More »
A recent article in Health Affairs, Choosing Wisely Campaign: Valuable for Providers Who Knew About It, But Awareness Remained Constant, 2014-17 by Colla and Manior, explored how care providers had participated in a campaign to discuss low value vs. high value care with their patients before making care decisions. Unfortunately, not only did awareness of this campaign not… Read More »
Leaders grapple with problems every day. Our particular ecosystem is complex and complicated. Understanding the dynamics of the questions themselves and tradeoffs that must transpire is critical for thoughtful decisions and for framing the conversations that must occur. Human nature gravitates towards simplification and it is our responsibility to constantly elevate the conversation to a level that better… Read More »
Frequently we hear the phrase “work to the top of your license.” Additionally, operational efficiencies focus on this point. Furthermore, segregating activities by function is a proven methodology for improving throughput and standardization. But when we consider these in tandem with the physician role, we often throw this logic out the window. When practicing full time, I vividly… Read More »
Historically, medicine has used an apprentice model for educating doctors. Meaning, physicians are trained via learning from textbooks and then sent to work as interns and residents to hone their skills and practice their craft. Yet knowledge evolves and new data is constantly being published. To stay current, physicians must undertake an active role in their education even… Read More »
As more physicians embrace concierge medicine, expansion of this service is inevitable. Giving them the ability to focus additional time and directed energy on their patients while also being financially more feasible and operationally easier to administer encourages an inviting transition to this model. Though one could say that their main reason is noble, I am not sure… Read More »
As we move to value-based healthcare, the composition of the team is a key component to a successful transition. Numerous discussions have occurred over what these teams encompass, the certifications awarded, and the definition of the physician’s role within these teams. However, this latter component is an area that requires further examination. Defining team leadership with the physician… Read More »
A great deal has been discussed concerning physician burn out. Various reasons have been provided such as less time with patients, more paperwork, litigation, difficulty in getting paid, and so forth. Previously, I discussed the implications of the definition of “what is success” as a potential issue when it comes to job satisfaction. Yet, another reason is the… Read More »
Webster’s states, “a professional is characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession.” And, Postema, Gerald J. (1980). “Moral responsibility in professional ethics.” (PDF). NYUL Rev. 55. Retrieved March 26, 2016 proclaims (they), “self-subjugate themselves to strict codes of conduct enshrining rigorous ethical and moral constraints that serve important aspects of public interest… Read More »