Physician Relationship Enhancement

To be successful, health care delivery organizations must foster healthy relationships among physicians, and between physicians and the hospital or health system. Strong, effective relationships with physicians result in higher quality clinical care, improved patient satisfaction, increased access to care, and improved financial results for all parties.

ACCORD helps build physician relationships of any type: physician to physician; physician to administration; and physician to board. ACCORD's approach to physician relationship development is facilitative and collaborative in nature. By encouraging each constituency group to honestly express their ideas and concerns in a safe environment, problems that were previously “unsolvable” become manageable. Once all parties have moved into a problem-solving mode, they can identify the best structures for aligning their interests (e.g., joint ventures, management contracts, employment, etc.) and work together towards the common goal of providing high quality care to patients. As a result, they help one another become more successful both professionally and financially.

The following issues are typical of those addressed during the discussions and planning sessions that ACCORD facilitates:

• Developing a shared understanding of the benefits of strong physician relationships for the physicians, the health system, the board, and the community served;
• Identifying potential barriers to successful physician relationships;
• Developing integrated service lines across multiple facilities;
• Creating alternative physician-hospital business models;
• Resolving conflict among physicians, board members, and administration;
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities within the clinic and/or corporate setting;
• Agreeing on action plans regarding physician collaboration initiatives.