A business partnership is a serious commitment. Gastroenterologists with a stake in a practice or endoscopy center must carefully consider what skills and qualities a productive partner will bring to the table.
Ask a Gastroenterologist is a weekly series of questions posed to GI physicians around the country on business and clinical issues affecting the field of gastroenterology. We invite all gastroenterologists to submit responses. Next week's question: How do you think the Barack Obama presidency has affected the field of gastroenterology?
Please submit responses to Carrie Pallardy at cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com by Thursday, August 28, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: What qualities do gastroenterologists look for in potential physician practice and endoscopy center partners?
Patrick Takahashi, MD, CMIO and Chief of Gastroenterology Section of St. Vincent Medical Center (Los Angeles): Partnership in a gastroenterology practice or ambulatory surgical center is akin to a marriage. It is important to seek out an individual who has similar goals, as well as congruent approaches to dealing with problems. Often times, we mistakenly believe that good personal relationships are equivalent to amicable professional ones.
Dealing with a number of physicians when it comes to personnel hires, staffing and overhead costs can prove to be difficult. Certain positive inherent qualities can prove to be a lifesaver when it comes to both growing a practice or ASC. Flexibility, timeliness and accountability are crucial qualities to have. Putting the practice or ASC's goals in front of personal ones is another sine qua non quality to have. If there was one term to describe an ideal partner to have, it would have to be compromise. There is always bound to be choppy waters to navigate, but it is definitely a whole lot easier to salvage the ship when the crew can work in unison with one heartbeat.
More articles on gastroenterology:
Cost-effectiveness & quality: 5 recent studies on colonoscopy
Medigus completes $11.1M private placement
A world without colonoscopy? 10 gastroenterologists weigh in on the future of GI's top procedure
Ask a Gastroenterologist is a weekly series of questions posed to GI physicians around the country on business and clinical issues affecting the field of gastroenterology. We invite all gastroenterologists to submit responses. Next week's question: How do you think the Barack Obama presidency has affected the field of gastroenterology?
Please submit responses to Carrie Pallardy at cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com by Thursday, August 28, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: What qualities do gastroenterologists look for in potential physician practice and endoscopy center partners?
Patrick Takahashi, MD, CMIO and Chief of Gastroenterology Section of St. Vincent Medical Center (Los Angeles): Partnership in a gastroenterology practice or ambulatory surgical center is akin to a marriage. It is important to seek out an individual who has similar goals, as well as congruent approaches to dealing with problems. Often times, we mistakenly believe that good personal relationships are equivalent to amicable professional ones. Dealing with a number of physicians when it comes to personnel hires, staffing and overhead costs can prove to be difficult. Certain positive inherent qualities can prove to be a lifesaver when it comes to both growing a practice or ASC. Flexibility, timeliness and accountability are crucial qualities to have. Putting the practice or ASC's goals in front of personal ones is another sine qua non quality to have. If there was one term to describe an ideal partner to have, it would have to be compromise. There is always bound to be choppy waters to navigate, but it is definitely a whole lot easier to salvage the ship when the crew can work in unison with one heartbeat.
More articles on gastroenterology:
Cost-effectiveness & quality: 5 recent studies on colonoscopy
Medigus completes $11.1M private placement
A world without colonoscopy? 10 gastroenterologists weigh in on the future of GI's top procedure