Do not leave the innovation up to others. Each of us must continue to assess how we deliver care through a team model. We must evaluate how to better integrate with midlevel providers. We must lead in transitions of care and discharge planning. We need to re-examine the basic model of physician-patient care. We must make sure residency and post-residency training prepare hospitalists for all of this. Finally, we need to innovate on how hospital administrators and hospitalists work together to improve quality and patient safety.
Don’t forget to share those innovations with SHM. SHM is your conduit to change healthcare—and if you take things to the third step of change management, SHM easily can help you through the remaining steps. TH
Dr. Cawley is president of SHM.
References
- Davis K, Schoen C, Schoenbaum SC, et al. Mirror, mirror on the wall: an international update on the comparative performance of American health care. Commonwealth Fund: May 2007.
- Kotter J. Leading change. Boston: Harvard Business Press; 1996.
- Kotter J, Rathgebar H. Our iceberg is melting: changing and succeeding under any condition. New York: St. Martin’s Press; 2005.