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I've read the article in the latest Healthcare Excutive Magazine on "Physician Employment" and was happily surprise that even before this article was written, I was thinking that my organization was going in the right direction for employing physicians.  The article increased my belief that having a vision, quality standards, etc are more enhanced when physicians are involved with the strategic planning.  Especially physicians that are referral sources for revenue to the hospital facilities (i.e. Orthopeadics, Oncologist, Urologist, and Primary Care Docs.)

My question is, directed to Nathan S. Kaufman, is... "What are you thoughts on employing physicians that are not referral sources to the hospital facilities (specifically Radiologist).  What should be the vision and the goals around performance & quality if you want to employe them?"

Thank you for your interest in this topic. Your question has been presented to Mr. Kaufman, and we will have a response for you by next Monday, July 12.

Megan Downey

Senior Web Editor

ACHE

Reply from Nate Kaufman:

"I am a strong supporter of hospitals employing hospital-based physicians like radiologists. Not because hospitals are better at managing these physicians but because the hospital can use its clout to negotiate better managed care rates than a standalone practice can negotiate. There are also hybrid models in which that can achieve the same objective. Critical performance measures include high throughput, high referring physician and patient satisfaction, rapid turnaround and low error rate."