As Dr. Nelson suggests, successful NPP integration depends on physician leaders being dedicated to the collaborative model and understanding that NPP success is tied to group success. And while admittedly not a perfect test, when in doubt about how an NPP could function in your group, I think asking if a resident would work in the same role is a good starting point. TH
Dr. Nelson has been a practicing hospitalist since 1988 and is co-founder and past president of SHM. He is a principal in Nelson Flores Hospital Medicine Consultants, a national hospitalist practice management consulting firm (www.nelson flores.com). He is co-director and faculty for SHM’s “Best Practices in Managing a Hospital Medicine Program” course. This column represents his views and is not intended to reflect an official position of SHM.