Hospitalists are the Future of OB/GYN Medicine
In the ever-changing landscape of women’s healthcare, it’s no longer enough to keep up with those changes but rather to anticipate and prepare for what comes next. We at Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) believe the hospitalist model is best suited to continue elevating women’s healthcare no matter what the future may bring. And we’re not alone. Dr. J. Joshua Kopelman, Chair of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (District VIII) firmly stated at a recent SOGH Annual meeting, “OB/GYN hospitalists in this country are the wave of the future. There’s no question about it.” Current research seems to confirm this: Accenture reports the percentage of physicians in private practice declined from 57% in 2000 to 39% in 2012. OB/GYNs listed medical liability (65.3%) and financial viability of their practice (44.3%) as their top two professional concerns in a 2008 ACOG survey. Both of these issues are resolved in a hospitalist model. 87% of physicians surveyed in 2012 cited the expense of running a business as their chief concern. According to a 2011 Medscape study, OB/GYNs who are partners in private practice earn $15,000-$25,000 less than their employed colleagues. Looking toward the future, a 2011 ACOG report predicts a shortage of 9,000 to 14,000 OB/GYNs over the next 20 years, which may be why ACOG strongly encourages collaborative care such as the hospitalist model. Another strong inducement for the hospitalist model is the extremely favorable work/life balance. Hospitalists generally report much higher job satisfaction than physicians in private practice, burnout occurs less frequently and the freedom and opportunities to relocate virtually anywhere in the U.S. appeals to many physicians who may want to move without having to build a new patient base. The consensus among healthcare professionals is that the hospitalist model is here to stay, largely because hospitalists simply bring so many benefits to the hospitals, physicians and patients they serve. The number of highly skilled hospitalists has grown over the past decade and industry observers say it’s only the beginning. Hospitalists are the answer to many emerging healthcare issues ranging from quality incentives to the public reporting of data. We invite you to discover more about OBHG and the advantages that our customized programs deliver to our partner hospitals, physicians and patients by visiting www.OBHG.com or contact an OBHG representative today via Programs@OBHG.com or 800.967.2289.
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Ob Hospitalist Group
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