In a session at the Becker's Hospital Review Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 15th moderated by Molly Gamble, managing editor of Becker's Hospital Review, panelists discussed strategies and tactics to improve operational and financial performance in the realm of hospital/physician alignment.
"As we move toward volume-for-value, we need to start looking more at how we reward our physicians," said Joanne Detch, vice president of physician relations and network development at Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care. "With integration, you're asking that physician to change their practice. You're asking them to make a whole lot of changes in a short amount of time. There needs to be an additional incentive for that."
Scott James, vice president of physician practices surgical specialties at Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, Ind., said Parkview gives physicians a similar autonomy as if they were still in private practice. "We want our physicians to drive the system," he said.
Mr. James said the board at Parkview Health allows physicians to elect their own governance board within their own specialties, conduct their own meetings and make hiring and firing recommendations.
"Just because they're employed doesn't make them employees," he said. "Respect the autonomy they've historically had. Don't underestimate the importance of culture."
Michael Ugwueke, COO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tenn., also commented on accommodating physicians as they transition from private practice to hospital employment, suggesting hospitals may need to explore innovative ways of integration.
"The only reason they want to be employed is declining reimbursement. They want the same income they're accustomed to," Mr. Ugwueke said. "You have to allow yourself to explore various elements of integration.
This culture of physician autonomy is changing — especially in the realm of hospital integration — and physicians are changing the way they look at success, said Barry Tanner, president and CEO of Jamison, Pa.-based Physicians Endoscopy.
"Physicians have gone through two years with the carrot in terms of Physician Quality Reporting System, and now here comes the stick," Mr. Tanner said. "There's a fear with employment, and you are removing [physicians'] independence and reliance. [Physicians have to ask themselves] are you still reliant on your success as both a physician and a business person?"
More Articles on Physician Integration:
Physician Integration: Transitioning from 'Pacman' to Millennial Recruitment
How to Engage Physicians in the Transition From Volume to Value-Based Care
3 Key Areas of Strategic Benefit From Co-Management Arrangements, Surgical Integration