Page 18 - Delaware Medical Journal - January 2018
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systematic survey of colleagues. We believe that our analyses are well informed by reality and are consistent with broadly held opinions, but expect that other experienced observers might differ from our assertions. The trends we highlight though are unassailable and very important. It was not Rather, we wanted to highlight very important possible effects on medical care and physicians’ professional lives — effects that have been overlooked or examined only in generalities. The changes in medical practice are complex. Their effects are
also complex. And they are contingent on
result of these changes and risks are to be minimized, those physicians, health care executives, and policy makers who are implementing these changes need to be fully aware of their potential effects.
RECOMMENDATIONS
of the four areas of change that we examined suggests concrete actions that would mitigate the risks of change We see these actions as responsibilities that fall to physicians, health systems managers, patients, and regulators. The actions we recommend are intended
to assure that the advocacy, expertise, quality/safety, and innovation that patients should expect from their caregivers and care are either preserved or enhanced. And that physicians profession as they work to help patients.
• Assess your organization’s culture for a commitment to the physician’s role as advocate, expert, and champion of safety, quality, and innovation.
• Recognize your responsibility to be a patient advocate.
• Choose your employer on the basis of its commitment to a culture of patient advocacy.
• Insist that your employment contract contain provisions that honor and protect the role of physician as patient advocate.10
• Remember the special role you have as a
Recommendations for Action by
Individual Physicians:
for a relationship.
The Delaware Medical Journal is posting an open call for papers submitted by physician members and others.
The DMJ
Authors should refer to the “Instructions for Authors.” Submissions should be sent to Mary.Fenimore@medsocdel.org or
Delaware Medical Journal
Medical Society of Delaware 900 Prides Crossing
