who’s partner? stephanie scheffler university of st. thomas mbc - final project may 15, 2008
TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Anderegg’s Problem
“You referred a patient to an outside physician for this? When we have one that can handle it?”
Medical Director for Group Health, 1964
“Why?”
My Research Question
Can HealthPartners doctors in primary care and specialties partner more in caring for patients?
What We Needed To Know
What decision-making factors were important to doctors when sending patients for specialty care?
What could we do to help increase the likelihood of the doctors referring internally?
How did they want to receive information about specialty updates and changes?
Methodology
Electronic survey:• 149 adult primary care doctors• Clinic locations near Regions Hospital• 20 questions • 86 returned surveys (58%)
How long have you worked for HealthPartners (Group Health or Ramsey Clinic)?
11-20 years43%
21 or more years40%
Less than 1 year13%
1-10 years4%
To what extent are the following factors important when recommending a patient for specialty care?
Not at all To a limited or some extent
To a considerable or
great extent
Type of illness or injury
0% 3% 97%
Availability of consultation
1% 19% 80%
Medical skill of doctor 3% 20% 77%
Previous positive experience with consulting doctor
0% 27% 73%
To what extent are the following factors important when recommending a patient for specialty care?
Not at all To a limited or some extent
To a considerable or
great extent
Patient preference 0% 33% 67%
Being apart of an integrated medical group
2% 33% 65%
Location of specialty doctor
1% 51% 48%
What tools would increase your likelihood to refer to a HealthPartners specialist?
Someone calling and coordinating care for the patient
78%
Ease of patient getting an appointment 66%
Patient scheduling appointment before leaving the clinic
60%
Other 44%
How do you want to receive information about updates/changes to HealthPartners Specialties?
Emails42%
Hotsheet26%
Clues9%
Lunches13%
Brochures7%
Other3%
Answer To The Research Question
Can HealthPartners doctors in primary care and specialties partner more in caring for patients?
Yes
Key Findings
Several opportunities for improved partnerships Creating appointment availability Communicating medical skill of our specialty doctors Creating positive experiences Sharing the benefits of an integrated medical group Coordinating care for the patients
An easy on-line way to inform doctors of changes to specialties is needed
Recommendations
Work with each specialty to improve same day/next day appointment availability.
Work with each specialty to create positive experiences for the patient and the referring provider.
Work with marketing to create and put updates about specialties on-line.