Who’s Partner?

Stephanie SchefflerUniversity of St. Thomas

MBC - Final ProjectMay 15, 2008

Dr. Anderegg’s Problem

“You referred a patient to an outside physician for this? When we have one that can handle it?”

Medical Director for Group Health, 1964

“Why?”

Today’s Problem

Financial balance

Addition of new specialties

My Research Question

Can HealthPartners doctors in primary care and specialties partner more in caring for patients?

What We Needed To Know

What decision-making factors were important to doctors when sending patients for specialty care?

What could we do to help increase the likelihood of the doctors referring internally?

How did they want to receive information about specialty updates and changes?

Methodology

Electronic survey:• 149 adult primary care doctors• Clinic locations near Regions Hospital• 20 questions • 86 returned surveys (58%)

How long have you worked for HealthPartners (Group Health or Ramsey Clinic)?

11-20 years43%

21 or more years40%

Less than 1 year13%

1-10 years4%

To what extent are the following factors important when recommending a patient for specialty care?

Not at all To a limited or some extent

To a considerable or

great extent

Type of illness or injury

0% 3% 97%

Availability of consultation

1% 19% 80%

Medical skill of doctor 3% 20% 77%

Previous positive experience with consulting doctor

0% 27% 73%

To what extent are the following factors important when recommending a patient for specialty care?

Not at all To a limited or some extent

To a considerable or

great extent

Patient preference 0% 33% 67%

Being apart of an integrated medical group

2% 33% 65%

Location of specialty doctor

1% 51% 48%

What tools would increase your likelihood to refer to a HealthPartners specialist?

Someone calling and coordinating care for the patient

78%

Ease of patient getting an appointment 66%

Patient scheduling appointment before leaving the clinic

60%

Other 44%

How do you want to receive information about updates/changes to HealthPartners Specialties?

Emails42%

Hotsheet26%

Clues9%

Lunches13%

Brochures7%

Other3%

Answer To The Research Question

Can HealthPartners doctors in primary care and specialties partner more in caring for patients?

Yes

Key Findings

Several opportunities for improved partnerships Creating appointment availability Communicating medical skill of our specialty doctors Creating positive experiences Sharing the benefits of an integrated medical group Coordinating care for the patients

An easy on-line way to inform doctors of changes to specialties is needed

Recommendations

Work with each specialty to improve same day/next day appointment availability.

Work with each specialty to create positive experiences for the patient and the referring provider.

Work with marketing to create and put updates about specialties on-line.

HealthPartners primary and specialty doctors can be better partners.

Questions?