Gastroenterologist Patrick Takahashi, MD, weighs in on business leadership in the field of gastroenterology. 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. This week's question: What can gastroenterologists do to help raise the national average of colorectal cancer screening?
Please submit responses to Carrie Pallardy at cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com by Thursday, May 22, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: How can gastroenterologists become business leaders in their field?
Patrick Takahashi, MD, CMIO and Chief of Gastroenterology Section of St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles: Gastroenterologists can become both business as well as medical leaders by following a good deal of the blueprint which they utilized to become physicians in the first place. Diligence, preparation and perseverance are a few of the attributes which can be combined with innovation, and the ability to interact others in a manner which shows alacrity, but is not intrusive.
For instance, taking the lead in organizing guidelines and reviewing policies for a surgery center can lead to larger projects and interests, not only at a local level through a directorship, but at a hospital level as well through committee appointments as well as administration ones. As one learns the workflows which impact their colleagues, this valuable knowledge can be applied expeditiously to improve the experience of fellow gastroenterologists. Others will naturally look to them as both medical as well as business leaders to help in their endeavors. This gradation can only continue as the sky is the limit for those who continue to thrive in such a setting.
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