Stressors in Healthcare Delivery
The funders of healthcare, health policy experts and the political system all seem unanimous that U.S. healthcare needs to provide higher quality care at less cost. In the 1980s and 1990s, the market cried out for better quality healthcare and a lesser cost and, when medical groups largely did not respond, employers and government turned to managed care.
Today, the market is once again crying out for better quality healthcare and a lesser cost. Medical groups, hospitals and health delivery systems are uniquely positioned to lead the re-organization of healthcare delivery if they elect to do so. Should they fail, it would appear that the market will turn to other solutions which will likely interpose themselves between the doctor and the patient as managed care increasingly has.
Given the critical requirements for better health maintenance and chronic disease management, the highest performing medical groups are uniquely positioned to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of healthcare, while earning the rewards for doing so. Conversely, lesser performers are increasing finding themselves penalized in a host of ways.
However, in order to take their rightful place, physicians must be organized, and their organizations must achieve high levels of performance.