PHYSICIANS PROFILE - FACT OR FICTION

Many physicians are bombarded with endless reams of data regarding the ir performance. In the current climate, the data frequently have a mor e implicit financial viewpoint. In an effort to economize healthcare d elivery, several factors are under investigation. Manpower, resource u se, and product delivery are just a few examples of factors investigat ed. Managerial trends have led to the development of numerical data on how specific physicians treat particular disease processes on a dolla r-and-cents basis. Physicians need a better understanding of these man agerial data. Integrated healthcare delivery systems are developing in most regions of the country. External customers are using physician p rofile data for exclusion or inclusion criteria in contract negotiatio n. The purpose of this study was to illustrate a situation in which ph ysician profile data are a more appropriate reflection of the integrat ed healthcare system's profile.