Tip of the week: Understand the inherent differences between physicians and managers

Different backgrounds and training can strain the relationship between the medical staff and hospital administration. By understanding these differences, these two groups can begin to build bridges.

In training and in practice, physicians learn to value:

• Autonomy
• Uniqueness
• Treating individual patients
• The concept of "Quality trumps cost"
• Solving acute problems
• Working with individuals
• Making decisions

Managers learn to value:

• Teamwork
• Consistency
• Managing populations
• The concept of "No money, no mission"
• Managing chronic problems
• Working with systems
• Managing a process

There is no question, however, that physicians and hospital leaders make providing quality patient care their primary goal, no matter their perspective.

The preceding information was excerpted from The Medical Executive Committee Handbook, Third Edition, by Mary J. Hoppa, MD, MBA; Albert L. Fritz, MHA; and Richard A. Sheff, MD. Click here to learn more.