Page 19 - CANNABIS NEWS FL MARCH 2022

SALUTE

TO PHYSICIANS

Cover Story: Salute to Physicians:

A Cautionary Tale for Organizations

Continued from page 1 Returning voice to physicians to manage
cian. While they may have benefits of their workloads. Return of the Doctor’s
mobility and compensation, autonomy in lounge where the organization recognizes
Happy managing workflow and productivity is the physical and emotional strains of prac-
tice and provides nourishment for the
lost. The administrative burdens of prior
authorizations, phone calls, patient mes-
the soul.
saging, as well as the compliance learning body and a safe place for nourishment of
modules, are expected to be done “in The Palm Beach County Medical Society
Doctors Day between” patients. Private practice physi- recognizes a physician’s worth.
In 2017, following a successful model
cians suffer from increasing costs and low-
ering reimbursements. The variable under
Physician Wellness Program to bring this
their control is volume or charging for from Washington State, they began a
patient access. Physician extenders, to the attention of our members and the
Our doctors are the reason advance practice nurses soon gain their medical community at large. Under the
leadership of Dr. Stefan Pasternack and his
own panels of patients and are in the same
situation. Moral distress of not being able generosity, the Society raised funds to pro-
to do what is right for the patient when vide resource material available to mem-
our patients can Age Well.
competing interests ensues. This becomes bers on the PBCMS website. Additionally,
a time/money conundrum. Our sense of the PBCMS has held a formal educational
purpose is diminished. Wellness Conference to educate our mem-
Every day – but especially on How can it be that physicians flock to do bers and the healthcare community. Our
“mission” work? We are treating throngs proudest accomplishment has been for the
Doctors Day – we share our gratitude of patients for the sheer joy of practicing Society to partner with vetted mental
medicine. We get no compensation, there healthcare professionals to provide confi-
for talented, dedicated physicians is minimal to no paperwork, just taking dential free of charge counseling for five
care of people and feeling fulfilled. Here is sessions. The Committee, headed by Dr.
everywhere. Doctors who are a clue to managing the crushing adminis- Shawn Baca, strives to advocate for physi-
trative workload we face, by creating sys- cians’ mental and physical health. To date
committed to their patients and to tems that encourage practice of medicine the program has directly served practicing
instead of data entry. Burnout is a scourge physicians, residents and medical stu-
providing compassionate, attentive of the profession, a danger to patients and dents. Although organizations may have
society at large, and robs individuals of an assistance program, many physicians
care are invaluable to our community. their vitality. Suicide rates among physi- will not access that service through an
cians are higher than the average even employer. The PBCMS and the FMA
while adjusting for hours worked. actively advocate for changes in the licens-
Thank you!
Organizations with vision use physician ing process to eliminate the question
wellness and wellbeing as critical elements “Have you ever seen a mental health
for planning operations, workflows and a provider?”
metric for C suite balanced scorecards. We advocate for physicians to do what
Most organizations have realized this is an they were trained to do. Practice Medicine.
issue of maintaining a limited resource. We call upon the South Florida health-
Their efforts are in the nascent stage. The care community to understand a physi-
Florida Department of Health’s 2021 cian’s worth. The business case, moral case
workforce report shows that 60% of and ethical case is clear. Preserve the abili-
Florida physicians are over age 50. Survey ty of physicians to practice medicine or be
data shows 92% of younger physicians felt at the peril of losing this critical limited
work life balance was a necessity. resource.
How will we cope? We know what
works. Reduction of administrative bur- Dr. Claudia Mason is President of the Palm
den. Physician to physician interventions Beach County Medical Society.
to prevent “Second Victim” trauma.

ConvivaCareCenters.com

30 March 2022 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News