Today, I had the opportunity to speak with 2,000 of America’s top physician leaders at the annual conference of America’s Physician Groups (formerly CAPG) in San Diego.
The 2018 conference is designed for those who are committed to value-based payment models – a fitting focus for an organization that represents capitated medical groups that are leading the coordinated care movement with superior clinical quality.
APG’s membership now comprises 300 medical groups and independent practice associations (IPAs) in 45 states. The organization’s inspirational president and CEO, Don Crane, has become one of the most influential healthcare policy leaders in the country and he is doubling down on finding innovative, patient-centric solutions for the American healthcare system. I wholeheartedly connect with the organization’s mission, focus and commitment.
With APG’s bold vision for the future and given the credentials of those in attendance, I couldn’t think of a better time and place to deliver a keynote address on transforming the delivery system.
The attendees at the annual conference are both willing and able to lead and implement the innovative change our healthcare system needs. Many of the participants have already overcome tremendous challenges in bringing together physicians who can provide coordinated, collaborative and technologically enabled care. So, I began my remarks by congratulating them on their progress so far.
I noted that taking the next, necessary steps toward a better healthcare system will be difficult. Shrinking the number of hospitals in this country will be a great challenge. However, doing so will both increase the volume and maximize quality in the hospitals that remain. Furthermore, leaders will face resistance as they put in place procedural and surgical volume expectations – not to meet minimal standards but to maximize quality outcomes.
They will also encounter resistance as they move from a volume-driven model of reimbursement to one that rewards prevention as much as intervention, to one that reimburses primary care more closely with specialty expertise.
These observations resonated well with the experiences of those in the room today. And that’s why my biggest message was about the pace of change. In any race, the last lap is the hardest part, but it has the greatest impact. Reaching the finish line in healthcare’s change process will take focus, perseverance and discipline. It will require leadership and skill to right-size medical groups and re-balance specialties. It will be essential to maintain the independence of physicians and make sure all voices can be heard.
Of all the audiences I’ve addressed about my vision for the future – leading with the four pillars of transformation – this group understands best what is required to change healthcare for the better. And they were firm supporters.
I know they have the desire and leadership skills necessary to translate the vision into reality. I let them know I am available to help in any way. Let’s hope they succeed.
Dr. Robert Pearl is the former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group, the nation’s largest physician group. He’s the bestselling author of “Mistreated: Why We Think We’re Getting Good Health Care–And Why We’re Usually Wrong” and a Stanford University professor. Follow him on Twitter @RobertPearlMD.
It was an excellent keynote Dr. Pearl. After attending countless conferences over the past 22 years, I have grown tied of the same messages that quickly become repeated, abbreviated as tweets and then taglines in marketing but lead to very little analysis, introspection let alone change. Your presentation was equally challenging and hopeful. More so, it was actionable. This was my first AMG event and I am eager to see examples of this message applied.