Fewer respondents (19.3 percent) felt their responsibility for patients extended beyond two weeks after discharge, according to the survey of 817 residents across nine training programs. More than half (57 percent) felt they should directly contact a patients’ primary care provider at discharge, and 21.6 percent felt they should ensure patients attended follow up appointments, according to the report. The perceptions of responsibility were not linked to any specific level of training, type of program, career path or level of burnout.
This suggests there may be other factors at work, such as professional role modeling, that shape the perceptions of responsibility, the researchers suggested. However, the high levels of variability in responses indicate there is currently no one dominant school of thought as to what role internal medicine physicians should play in care transitions.
More articles on integration and physician issues:
Illinois physician suspended for distributing vaccines made of cat saliva, vodka
New medical school to be built in Utah County
New BMJ series aims to accelerate use of new research in care
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.