AMA/AHA release proceedings from conference on new models of care

The American Medical Association and AHA today released proceedings from their Joint Leadership Conference on New Models of Care, held last fall in conjunction with Health Affairs. The conference sought to expand the conversation between and among health care provider organizations, clinicians and policymakers on how to create a more efficient and effective care delivery model. The program highlighted 10 health care delivery systems with different models of physician involvement and engagement, and where they have seen successes and challenges. By sharing the proceedings, the AMA and AHA hope to shine a light on best practices, as well as increase discussion and collaboration to move the health care field forward. To obtain a copy of the proceedings, click here.

Improving quality and costs with physician-led ACOs

A recent article from JAMA discusses the increase in physician-led accountable care organizations (ACOs) and how they’re holding primary care physicians more accountable for the overall quality and cost results of their patients. Although gaining in popularity, ACOs in general are still struggling to contain costs. According to the authors, only 29 percent of the physician-led ACOs involved in the Medicare Shared Savings Program demonstrated savings over their projected baseline rate of growth of Medicare costs. The authors feel three things must be done in order to support broader physician success in leading ACOs:

The authors say primary care physicians see physician-led ACOs as a powerful opportunity to retain their autonomy and make a positive difference for their patients and their bottom lines.

Considering cost when it comes to treatments

A recent article from the Boston Globe asks whether doctors should consider medical costs when prescribing treatments. Doctors have long embraced an ethical responsibility to advocate for the best possible treatment for their patients, regardless of cost, and that their patients count on that philosophy to guide their decisions. However, some doctors feel ignoring costs is something they can no longer afford to do since it not only contributes to the unsustainable growth of health care budgets, but also can end up damaging patients’ financial lives. Some medical societies, such as the ABIM Foundation with its Choosing Wisely campaign and the American College of Physicians with its High Value Care campaign, are working to raise awareness among their members of the impact of cost on health care decisions.

 

A related article from The New York Times discusses how some of the most influential medical groups in the nation are recommending that doctors weigh the costs, not just the effectiveness of treatments, as they make decisions about patient care. The American Society of Clinical Oncology is helping their constituents in this endeavor by developing a scorecard to evaluate drugs based on their cost and value, as well as their efficacy and side effects.

Survey finds majority of physicians feel overuse is a serious problem

On May 1, the ABIM Foundation announced the findings of a new physician survey sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) aimed at gauging physician attitudes regarding the overuse of medical services in the United States. The study indicates nearly three out of four U.S. physicians feel the frequency with which doctors order unnecessary medical tests and procedures is a serious problem for America’s health care system—but just as many say that the average physician orders unnecessary medical tests and procedures at least once a week. According to the survey, one in five physicians (21 percent) say they are aware of the ABIM’s Choosing Wisely campaign and more than half (58 percent) feel they are in the best position to address the problem. In addition, 62 percent of those surveyed say they are more likely to have reduced the number of times they recommend a test or procedure because they learned it was unnecessary; compared to 45 percent for those who are unaware of the effort.

 

Other findings include:

“Old habits are hard to break, but this research suggests that America’s physicians are slowly making progress in efforts to reduce unnecessary care,” said Richard J. Baron, MD, president and CEO of the ABIM Foundation. “Avoiding unnecessary medical care is important because care that is not needed can be harmful to patients, and unnecessary care raises health care costs for everyone. Physicians and patients both play roles in reducing the overuse of medical care in America, and this research suggests Choosing Wisely is making a difference.”

 

To access the report, visit www.ChoosingWisely.org.

New AMA report shows economic impact of physicians

A new report from the American Medical Association (AMA) shows that in 2012, physicians contributed $1.6 trillion in economic activity and supported 10 million jobs nationwide. The report measured the economic impact of physicians at the national level and in each of the 50 states and District of Columbia according to key economic barometers:

In a press release, AMA President Ardis Dee Hoven, MD, said, "The new AMA study illustrates that physicians are strong economic drivers that are woven into their local communities by the jobs, commerce and taxes they generate. These quality jobs not only support the caring role of physicians, but also generate taxes that support schools, housing, transportation and other public services in local communities."

How different generations of docs will handle health reform

A recent article from Forbes examines different generations of doctors and how they’re adapting to health care reform. The article says although not all generational generalities are foolproof, there are fundamental differences in doctors’ work styles, communication habits, and overall fondness for change in the context of a rapidly evolving health care world. For example, with accountable care organizations (ACOs), millennials will most appreciate their team aspect while baby boomers will be the most committed to their long-term success and take on the demanding leadership roles of them. According to the article, three things above all else will challenge each of the three generations of doctors: health care reform, new technologies and the need to make health care more available and affordable.

Is it viable for physicians to opt out of Medicare?

A recent article from HealthLeaders Media asks whether it’s a viable option for physicians to quit Medicare. The article says although it can be a good solution for some physicians, the decision cannot be made lightly. The article profiles two Pennsylvania surgeons who share their experiences breaking away from Medicare. According to the article, they’ve lost 12 percent of their patient population, but say they’re providing more personalized care and the effects on their revenue and financial viability have been positive. They now schedule a 60-minute visit for new patients and 15- or 30-minute follow-up visits as part of their effort to provide more personalized care. One surprise the surgeons encountered was that opting out is not a one-time event. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requires physicians to opt out every two years; otherwise they’ll be put back into the system. The surgeons note that opting out of Medicare isn’t for all. For example, an internal medicine or family practice physician may lose perhaps 80 percent or more of his or her Medicare-eligible patients when opting out because those patients cannot afford the private pay. For them, it may not be financially viable.

Use Futurescan 2014 to guide your planning efforts

Futurescan 2014: Healthcare Trends and Implications 2014–2019 provides a timely tool for organizations as they plan for the future. In Futurescan 2014, a panel of industry thought leaders addresses eight key issues regarding health care change and transformation. This expert insight is supported by data from a survey of 544 health care leaders across the country. Futurescan has been produced annually since 1999 by the Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

 

Save $395 when you order a package of 15 for your board or leadership team.

Order Futurescan 2014: Healthcare Trends and Implications 2014–2019.

Patient Experience: Empathy + Innovation Summit

Now in its fifth year, The Patient Experience: Empathy + Innovation Summit brings together patient experience leaders, health care CEOs, nursing leaders, policy makers and major stakeholders for presentations, debate and candid discussion of key issues that drive patient experience. Attendees will hear how they strive to deliver the best clinical, physical and emotional experience to patients and families.

 

Engaging physicians in our current health care environment is critical for both the success of their careers but also for hospitals. A featured session,  "Involving Physicians: 3 Perspectives"  on Tuesday, May 20 will focus on this topic. Tom Lee, MD, chief medical officer, Press Ganey and former Network President for Partners Healthcare System, is a world leader in dissecting and helping to drive physician engagement and will discuss ways to meaningfully engage docs. Jessica Dudley, MD, chief medical officer, Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization, a leader at one of the country’s most important academic medical centers will review their efforts to improve physician leadership talent and prepare them to help manage this change. Adrienne Boissy, MD, leads the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Communication at Cleveland Clinic and will address how improving physician’s ability to deliver relationship-based care impacts more than just their performance as clinicians, but also better engages them in the health care environment. These three physician leaders will deliver what will likely be one of the most talked about sessions at the 2014 Patient Experience: Empathy + Innovation Summit.

 

For the full agenda and more information, visit www.empathyandinnovation.com.

 

Patient Experience: Empathy + Innovation Summit

May 18-21, 2014 – Cleveland Convention Center

Cleveland, Ohio

 

Presented by Cleveland Clinic in conjunction with the American Hospital Association.

Visit us at www.ahaphysicianforum.org.

 

View our blog at http://ahaphysicianforum.wordpress.com.

 

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/physicianforum.

If you like this newsletter, please feel free to share with your friends or colleagues through Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.