The missing link in quality care
Everyone these days seems interested in improving quality of care, a major focus of both government and private pay-for-performance initiatives. But, as physicians know all too well, quality improvement is a collaborative effort, a partnership between patient and provider. Here’s a brief news story that talks about what patients can do to help make that concept work.
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From Medical Economics magazine, more on patient relations ...
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I agree that patients can and should take initiaive for their healthcare, but that’s a tough battle. I submit that it’s easier to control your focus and your staffs focus than it is to manage patient behavior.
Most physicians I consult with are not getting one tenth what they could be getting from their staff. It takes work and a very specialized training and focus but a well trained, well motivated staff can do more for quality than anything else in my expereince.
Having said that, we use a non-traditional methodology of staff development that focuses on building trust and accountability. But if your staff spends more time with your patients (collectively) than you do, shouldn’t they be as well trained and integrated as possible?
David Zahaluk, MD
MIP Consulting Group