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As recently reported in an article from AMed News, a physician job candidate who showcases teamwork ability is likely to stand out from the crowd among other candidates. This article was commenting on a recent poll taken by the Medicus Firm, which found that 78% of hospital CEOs who are already part of or plan to form an Accountable Care Organization ("ACO") want to hire doctors who are team-oriented. Unfortunately for these CEOs, 58% of them indicated that between zero and half of their employed physicians were a good fit for an ACO. So what does this all mean to physicians who are job searching now?
The new emphasis on team work is stemming from various payment overhauls called for in the Affordable Care Act ("ACA"). Such payment reform measures range from bundled payment programs to the formation of ACOs. In both instances, the way in which physicians are paid will change drastically. Medicare has historically paid physicians on a fee-for-service basis. Under the ACA payment reform provisions, the future holds new Medicare payment models that will instead pay for better outcomes and efficiency. For example, bundled payment pilot programs are underway that reimburse a group of providers for treating an entire illness or surgical encounter. Not only does the single bundled payment cover a hospital stay, but also the surgeons' fees, the rehabilitation therapy needed afterward, the long term care hospital stay, if necessary, etc. Under such programs, providers are incentivized to find ways to treat patients more efficiently and collaboratively.
Additionally, with the advent of ACOs also comes a new push for physicians and other providers to collaborate with hospitals and other facilities in order to provide the most efficient care possible. An ACO is a group of coordinated healthcare providers that use a variety of quality metrics and cost reduction measures in order to lower the cost of the health care it provides to patients. Under the ACA's main Medicare ACO program, when an ACO saves Medicare money by treating a patient at a lower cost, the ACO will be rewarded by splitting the savings with the Medicare program.
These two main payment reform measures from the ACA are resulting in much banter about the value placed on physicians who can work well in a team setting. So for all of the younger physicians out there who are beginning their physician job search, it makes a lot of sense to keep these changes in mind as you draft your cover letters, CVs, and attend interviews. If you can emphasize your ability to work effectively as a team member, and to be open to new ways of providing efficient care to your patients, you are likely to stand out from the crowd.
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