Engaging physicians improves patient care, increases revenue

Boosting physician engagement can not only improve patient care but also increase revenue, according to two studies conducted by Gallup.

In the first study, Gallup found that physicians who were engaged or fully engaged at one health system were 26% more productive than their colleagues who were not engaged or actively disengaged. Gallup calculated the increased productivity resulted in an additional $460,000 in patient revenue a year per physician.

At another health system, a Gallup study found that engaged or fully engaged physicians with referral privileges gave the hospital, on average, 3% more outpatient referrals and 51% more impatient referrals than unengaged or actively disengaged physicians.

Gallup’s analysis of the two studies found that physician engagement could be improved by adopting the following practices: proactively addressing and providing solutions for physician problems, promoting effective communication, encouraging physician involvement with hospital administration and ensuring their opinions are heard, and offering physicians opportunities to grow professionally.

Source: Gallup Business Journal