Video: Physician Engagement in this Era of Change

“Physicians’ values fit perfectly with the drive toward high quality, lower cost care spurred by health reform,” said Alice Gosfield, Esq.

These values that Gosfield—a lawyer, cardiologist’s daughter, and long-time champion of the medical profession—speaks of include physicians’ unparalleled responsibility for individuals and accountability for life and death.

“Every physician I know, have met, and ever will meet in my lifetime, treats patients one by one by one as they are sitting in front of him or her,” said Gosfield. “They feel a direct responsibility for what they do with individuals.”

Click on the video below to see Gosfield explain how physicians are uniquely qualified to lead the process of change in today’s environment.



As the rapidly accelerating changes in health care delivery continue, physicians have the opportunity to lead health care innovations that improve quality and value. All practices, regardless of specialty or type of practice, can lead the delivery of high-quality, high-value health care.

But many physicians find themselves asking a simple question: How do I lead?

The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) has launched a strategic vision – much of it through the PAMED Better Health Network™ – that will help engage physicians and assist them in developing the knowledge and skills needed to be effective leaders.

Read more on how Gosfield says physicians values can drive the evolution of health care delivery.

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Comments: 1


Good lecture, however, she does not give any practical examples of how physicians can do this in the real world when all of our time is wrapped up in: Seeing as many patients as quickly as possible because we are paid by RVUs, new reform requiring 10 times more CYA documentation and no additional time allowance in a patient visit.I now spend 90% of the visit checking boxes on the computer and documenting every word for "quality assurance" and 10% looking at,touching or educating the patient.This is ridiculous.Now add all of the meetings, CME time, administrative work and additional non-face-to-face care and where is that extra time to "step up and make a difference"? I surely don't have it and don't know any other physicians who do either.That means the physicians left to represent us are the administrators, and as much as they do try, there is still a huge disconnect between them and the physicians who are actually involved in the day-to-day clinical aspects of health care. Additionally, many people seem to forget the "art" of medicine, it is not just a science and it does require a very good holistic instinct for people that often supersedes what evidence-based medicine recommends.Evidence-based medicine has made some big errors in the past as well.Remember prescribing HRT to every woman over 50? Plus, most physicians are not trained to examine scientific research and would not know a good study from a bad one and we still need to depend on a consensus to help us know the difference.We additionally now have to deal with patients who feel entitled to receive whatever they want despite our recommendations because they have diagnosed themselves via the internet and feel our advice is incorrect, so complaints are filed and reprimands made.Many patients these days are the difficult patients that previously were the exception and now are the rule.Add in the horrors of litigation and there is nothing left to give. How do I find the energy/time to step up and lead?

Dr. C at 3/12/2011 10:53:33 AM

Last Updated: 1/9/2012
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