Revolution in real time. Physician practice management in the 21st century
C. N. Ramsey Jr
Department of Family Medicine, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.
Change in the health care system is stimulating the interest of physicians
policymakers, and third-party payers in practice management activities. New
analytic techniques and management concepts enable interested parties to
obtain more and better information about the overall results of practice.
These new techniques and concepts offer physicians an opportunity to exert
more influence on the direction and productivity of practice than in the
past. This report reviews the development of three emerging fields and
projects their impact on practice management. Outcomes management
technology involves adjusting for the differences in patient biology
between practices and describes outcomes of patient interventions in
standard ways. Medical informatics involves the conversion of data into
information that allows the physician manager to direct outcomes, quality,
and costs. Quality management involves empowering employees and physicians
to participate in improving the overall performance of the practice. The
use of techniques for analysis and intervention is changing the definition
of practice management beyond its conventional preoccupation with billing
and accounts receivable. In fact, a new science of practice management is
emerging that describes the interactions between the health care
organization and the outcomes of services to patients. These tools empower
physicians to direct the performance of the practice, to match services to
patient needs, and to manage the costs of practice operations. Thus, the
new methods and technologies of practice management have the potential to
bring substantial benefits to patients, office staff, and physicians.
