MEDICAL STAFF CONSOLIDATION ISSUES AND CONCERNS

In the past decade there have been increases in health care consolidat ions. While the literature on hospital mergers is abundant, there is l ittle on mergers of medical staffs. In this study, we interviewed seni or administrators in 22 midwestern medical institutions that had conso lidated between 1987 and 1990. Our study is an exploration of topics o f concern that administrators have encountered during processes of med ical staff consolidation. Administrators stated that the medical staff was most concerned about relationships with nursing and support staff , ''turf'' issues, and a sense of loss. They recommended that increase d attention be paid to specific local issues and that there be active involvement and communication between medical staff and administrators at all phases of the consolidation process.