As health care transforms to make population health management and patient-centered care some of its highest priorities, who is best suited to lead?
An article in Becker’s Hospital Review discusses how the need for clinical leadership is becoming more apparent. In response, the role of the physician leader is evolving, according to article. As health care transforms to make population health management and patient-centered care some of its highest priorities, the need for clinical leadership is becoming more apparent. In response, the role of the physician leader is evolving. There is currently a growing movement among physicians to obtain and develop leadership skills and experience.
“In the past, physician leaders’ primary roles were to serve as advocates for physicians’ interests,” said Gary S. Kaplan, MD, board certified in internal medicine and chairman and CEO of Virginia Mason Health System in Seattle since 2000. “In today’s world, we need less advocacy leadership and more leadership focused on sponsoring change and improvement for our patients.”
Anthony D’Eredita, executive vice president of the Advisory Board, stated, “It’s not just a physician and non-physician distinction. You have to consider the leadership expertise of the individual, because a physician without leadership skills will be an ineffective leader. Strong leadership brings together both clinical and business expertise, and is often not in one person but spread across an executive team.”
