Physicians need to lead health care innovations that improve quality and value. That’s what patients, hospital administrators, and even physicians themselves believe.
But many physicians find themselves asking a simple question: How?
The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) wants to help physicians find the answer to that question.
PAMED has launched a strategic vision – much of it through the PAMED Better Health Network™ -- that will help physicians develop the knowledge and skills needed to lead.
This new direction stems from a strategic plan called “
Get in the Game: A Blueprint for Physician Leadership in Quality and Value.” (PAMED leaders and staff just call it the “blueprint”… thank goodness.)
The plan was discussed and approved at the October 2010 House of Delegates meeting.
The core of the strategic vision is this statement:
The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) must position physicians to lead and shape health care delivery to assure that the evolving system provides quality and value to patients and the community.
The ultimate goal is for every physician to reflect on how they might deliver better care, knowing that this is the real basis for value and the strength of the patient-physician relationship.
Implementing the Blueprint
A blueprint isn’t worth much if you don’t build what’s in the plan. Here’s what PAMED and the PAMED Better Health Network™ are beginning to build:
Education: Check out the
archive of the CME-accredited program from the October House of Delegates. It’s the first of many educational tools and events we’ll offer.
Physician Thought and Opinion Leaders: A series of small-group meetings with local physician leaders is being planned in select locations. This is the first step in pulling together a network of leaders.
Innovations: We’re collecting innovative ideas on patient care and medical practice management that can be shared with colleagues to improve health care. We’re also building online interactive tools such as blogs, surveys, and emails with comment options, so that it’s easier for physicians and others to share their ideas.
Collaboration: As health care becomes more integrated, physicians and hospitals will have to work more closely than ever. PAMED and the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) are leading the way, working closely to improve health care quality and value.