Over two-thirds of physician leaders agree doctors should be accountable for costs

06-08-2015

More than two-thirds (69 percent) of physician leaders agree that doctors should be held accountable for costs of care, in addition to quality of care.

This is according to a new survey jointly conducted by the American Association for Physician Leadership and the Navigant Center for Healthcare Research and Policy Analysis (Center).

Conducted in spring 2015, the comprehensive survey, which will be released in three parts in the coming weeks, examines physicians’ attitudes toward healthcare reform, physician leadership competencies and the move from fee-for-service to value-based care delivery and payment models.

The survey included 2,398 physician leaders (including chief medical officers and senior-level medical executives) from a range of organizations and practice settings.

Fifty-five percent of respondents surveyed believe the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is “more good than bad.”

Dr Peter Angood, president and chief executive officer of the association, said: “Physicians want what is best for their patients, so as they review the ACA, I think they resonate with how the good aspects of the bill can improve health care.

“The insights from this survey will continue to guide our mission of providing physician leaders with the key competencies and skills necessary to deliver the highest quality of care to America’s patients.”

The survey also found that 57 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree that accountable care organizations (ACOs) will be a permanent model for risk-sharing with payers in the years ahead; 63 percent of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that the elimination of  fee-for-service (FFS) incentives in favor of value-based payments will hurt the quality of care provided to patients; and 58 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree that transparency about physicians’ business dealings is a positive trend for the profession.

Dr Paul Keckley, managing director of the center, said: “As the US healthcare system transitions to value-based care, it is critically important that physicians play a key role in helping to reduce costs, while still delivering high-quality care.

The survey results demonstrate an important shift among physician leaders – they recognize the changes in the market and are eager to gain access to tools and training to manage their expanded set of responsibilities.”

 

American Association for Physician Leadership, Navigant Center for Healthcare Research and Policy Analysis, Dr Peter Angood, Dr Paul Keckley, US