We recently conducted an in-depth study at Lumere to gain insight into physicians’ perceptions of clinical variation and the factors influencing their choices of drugs and devices. Based on a survey of 276 physicians, our study results show that it’s necessary to consistently and frequently share cost data and clinical evidence with physicians, regardless of whether they’re affiliated with or directly employed by a hospital. This empowers physicians to support the quality and cost goals inherent in a health system’s value-based care model. Below, we offer three recommendations for health systems looking to do this.
Better Ways to Communicate Hospital Data to Physicians
Contrary to many perceptions, employing physicians does not automatically provide a direct path to financial or operational success. Lumere recently conducted an in-depth study, based on a survey of 276 physicians, that supports and expands on this idea. It designed the 19-question survey to gain insights into physicians’ perceptions of clinical variation, quality-improvement strategies, access to clinical outcomes and cost data, their involvement in hospital decisions about which drugs and devices to use, and the factors that influence their preferences in choosing drugs and devices. Specialties that utilize medical devices and inpatient drug treatment were included in the survey. The results confirm that simply employing physicians does not, in and of itself, lead to stronger financial performance for hospitals. It’s also necessary to consistently and frequently share cost data and clinical evidence with physicians, which empowers them to support the quality and cost goals inherent in a health system’s value-based care model. The authors make three recommendations for health systems looking to optimize the engagement of both employed and affiliated physicians.