Radiology Expert Available Nationally As An Expert Witness
Howard B. Kessler, M.D., a noted Radiologist and Chairman of the Pennsylvania Radiology Group, located in the Metropolitan Philadelphia, Pa area, is available as a Radiology Consultant and Expert Witness.
(PRWEB) March 19, 2005 -- Radiology in the World of Medicine
-By Howard B
Kessler MD
My naïve side bemoans these circumstances and yearns for the
good old days: fee for service radiology, generous compensation, shorter
workdays, and an abundance of time off. The business side of me prepares for the
present and future of radiology in a manner similar to that of my friends in
other small businesses where economic uncertainty, and economic periods of
expansion and contraction batter the small businessman regardless of the sector
in which they operate.
Here is a list of suggested strategies for the
uninitiated:
1. A practice should be in a constant state of recruiting.
The pleasure factor of this task falls somewhere between a barium enema and
Chinese water torture
2. Look at alternative avenues of recruitment,
beyond the prevailing practice of recruiting from residency and fellowship
programs. Our experience indicates that recruiting physicians already out in the
work force has the following advantages:
*
Proven track record in the verifiable references from prior working
experience
* Realistic expectations for compensation
and benefits
* Maturity and experience. Most
radiologists out in the world of private practice and to a lesser degree in
academia understand the unwritten rule of providing service, responding to the
needs of referring clinicians, and a work ethic unmatched by that of
radiologists emerging from the protected environment of training.
This
approach, however, is not without predictable pitfalls. On more than one
occasion, failure to adequately investigate references and other aspects of the
due diligence process created problems. The emotional side of the recruiting
game and a short-term need to provide coverage occasionally overpowers common
sense and discipline in the recruiting process. For example, a practice facing
expansion had the daunting task of hiring at least six radiologists in a
one-and-a-half-month time frame. The principals of the practice spent the better
part of the summer negotiating with (among others) a radiologist desirous of
fleeing the academic world for the private practice milieu. The radiologist's
expectations and demands were not consistent with the real world. The gap
between the inflated sense of self-worth and the true value to the practice
became evident as the negotiations (and legal fees) dragged on. In this
instance, the practice would have been better served by cutting bait rather than
to continue fishing for an unrealistic catch. The practice encountered similar
circumstances on a prior occasion and finally learned its lesson. The practice
is now reluctant to seek out those from the sector known as the ivory
tower.
3. Constant assessment of existing lines of business. The
traditional approach to private practice supports the status quo. In my
experience, this is a recipe for disaster. There is a time for expansion,
maintenance of existing business lines, jettisoning of unprofitable components
of an enterprise, and eliminating unproductive employees. This is by no means
the gospel or a call to arms. Rather, I would suggest that practices continually
look at themselves as a business, subject to the vagaries of any sector of the
economy. An increasingly expensive work force, operational and philosophical
inertia, and a constantly changing market with new and increasing challenges
demand an innovative approach to survive in a constantly changing world. Beyond
survival, opportunity and success beckon.
Howard Kessler, MD, is
chairman, department of radiology, Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center;
president, Pennsylvania Radiology Group and affiliated practices; and a member
of the Decisions in Imaging Economics editorial advisory board.
To
contact Dr. Kessler, please review his web site at www.TheRadiologyExpert.com or email Dr. Kessler at e-mail
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb219508.htm