IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A trade report this month sponsored by MedSynergies Inc. found 70% of responding national hospitals and health systems plan to employ more physicians in the next 12 to 36 months. The HealthLeaders Media Hospital-Physician Alignment survey also saw full employment trump the long-dominant “volunteer medical staff” as the top medical staff model, evidencing momentum in the move towards hospital-physician alignment.
Additionally, the report highlighted the need for physician alignment/engagement beyond employment to achieve the quality outcomes expected from employing more doctors. In fact, respondents reported a meager 11% of employed physicians are completely engaged, said JR Thomas, president and chief executive officer of MedSynergies.
“Some markets are in an all-out race to recruit physicians based on the thinking that primary-care doctors will be the linchpin in the healthcare system of the future,” said Thomas. “But increased employment does not translate into increased engagement. Hospitals and health systems need to work with doctors side-by-side in meeting the healthcare needs of the marketplace both in the hospital and in the field – it’s a symbiotic relationship.”
The survey found that more than two-thirds of the hospitals and health systems had seen an increase in requests from independent physician groups for employment over the past 12 to 36 months. Once employed, the majority of respondents reported linking quality outcomes to physician bonus compensation, with three in four also providing non-monetary compensation in the form of IT and electronic health records (EHR). Other tactics include more clinical technology, nursing and billing support.
“Reductions in fee schedules for Medicare combined with the ailing economy were already driving physicians to seek safe havens before we embarked on healthcare reform,” continued Thomas. “Now, the Affordable Care Act has increased the complexity of operating a practice, but physicians are weary of the hospital and health system relationship, preferring practice autonomy to hospital governance and local politics.”
More than three-quarters of the hospitals and health systems surveyed claim the physician has a moderate to major influence on the decision to participate in a collaborative care model, though 53% expect these collaborative care models will strain hospital-physician relations.
Physician Alignment: The Collaborative Care Disconnect featuring the independent HealthLeaders media survey supported by MedSynergies is available in its entirety online at www.healthleadersmedia.com/intelligence.
About MedSynergies Inc.
MedSynergies partners with health care organizations and physicians to align their operations by providing revenue cycle management, practice management, consulting services, business process analysis and software integration solutions. Leveraging its knowledge and experience in hospital-physician alignment, MedSynergies improves processes, optimizes technology and builds on trusted patient relationships, enabling hospitals and physician practices to offer quality health care. Founded in 1996, MedSynergies is privately held and headquartered in Irving, Texas. MedSynergies currently partners with hospitals and health networks and serves more than 7,400 providers across the United States. For more information, please visit www.medsynergies.com.
CONTACT:
For MedSynergies Inc.
Ariel Herr, 214-890-7912 x23
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Practice Management Health Hospitals Professional Services Human Resources
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