We are currently seeking industry experts to speak at our upcoming conference, the National Provider Enrollment Forum, featuring a new credentialing and privileging track! This two-day, can’t-miss event will deliver fresh and valuable content for nearly every title and function in the medical staff services and provider enrollment industries. The 2021 National Provider Enrollment Forum will take place on September 21 and 22 at the Sheraton Nashville Grand Downtown in Nashville, TN. To apply, click here and fill out the application by Monday, February 22, 2021.  Please contact Son Hoang at shoang@hcpro.com with any questions. 

One common trend among hospitals today is to hire physician executives for such roles as chief medical officer (CMO), vice president of medical affairs (VPMA), or medical director. Should these executives manage the performance of physicians on the medical staff? No.

Forty-two percent of physicians reported being burned out, according to a Medscape survey of more than 12,000 physicians in various specialties from August to November 2020. The results of the survey were published as the Medscape National Physician Burnout & Suicide Report 2021, which provides a list of specialties ranked by percentage of physicians who reported burnout. 

Platinum Plus members: We have added three new eBooks to your library. Look for the "Resources" tab at the top of the CRC website, and then select "eBooks." The following titles are available for browsing now:

• Peer Review Committee Essentials Handbook, Second Edition by Robert J. Marder, MD
• Physician Credentialing: A Guide for Physician Office Staff by Veronica L. Rosas, CPCS
• Negligent Credentialing: Strategies for Reducing Hospital Risk by Todd Sagin, MD, JD

The question is often asked, “Will we have enough competent, skilled leaders able to manage and navigate the increasingly complex world of healthcare?” In some cases, leaders are still selected and appointed based on their subject-matter knowledge or their willingness to serve—not their capacity to manage or lead.

We often confuse management with leadership, and the two can look very similar, especially when we have a manager who is also a skilled leader. Unfortunately, the two do not always appear side by side, and we may encounter managers who cannot lead as well as leaders who cannot manage. Sometimes, we deny ourselves the chance to enlarge our impact on the organizations where we work because we cannot see the benefits of becoming either a manager or a leader, let alone both. Use our sample tool to determine whether you are naturally a manager, leader, or both.

Taking a corrective action against a colleague is one of the most difficult challenges medical staff leaders can face. Many physicians are fearful to place a colleague in corrective action. They might not want to take away or restrict another practitioner’s livelihood. They could also be afraid of legal liability. Yet others may think, “But for the grace of God go I”—meaning, “This could be me someday!”