America is seeing an increase in the number of physicians taking on leadership positions in healthcare systems across the country. The benefit of this to patients is that leadership roles are being taken by people who understand the importance of patients and patient care. Chief Medical Officers who were physicians understand that the financial bottom… The post Responsibilites Of A Chief Medical Officer appeared first on Locums, Inc..

America is seeing an increase in the number of physicians taking on leadership positions in healthcare systems across the country.

The benefit of this to patients is that leadership roles are being taken by people who understand the importance of patients and patient care.

Chief Medical Officers who were physicians understand that the financial bottom line doesn’t come at the expense of the patient, but rather is bolstered by the good health of patients.

Here’s what you should know about Chief Medical Officers (CMOs).

The top 3 responsibilities and priorities of CMOs
For CMOs today their most time-consuming responsibilities are (in no particular order):
• Medical staff affairs
• Physician engagement
• Patient safety and quality improvement

These responsibilities tie into to their priorities which are (in no particular order):
• Identifying and developing future physicians into leaders
• Corporate strategic planning among other executive leadership roles
• Patient safety and quality improvement

Did you notice the last bullet point is the same for both?

This should make patients feel a little better that CMOs spend as much of their time as administratively possible ensuring patients are taken care of. After all, what’s the point of a medical facility if not to take care of patients?

In fact, organizations spend as much as $100,000 developing physician leadership in up-and-coming physicians.

What CEOS look for in a chief medical officer. And what chief medical officers expect of themselves.

Unsurprisingly, CEOs are looking for CMOs who are passionate about patient safety and quality of care. As well as (in no particular order):

• Committed to organization’s values and mission
• Successfully encourage collaboration and teamwork among physicians
• Can lead standardized care processes

The qualities CMOs think are most important are similar to what CEOs look for as well as:

• Strong advocate of patients
• Good listening skills
• Good problem-solving skills
• Able to inspire the respect of peers and staff

How CMOs succeed and why successful CMOs benefit patients

A successful CMO is able to be transformative. Not being stuck in the past allows for an engaged workforce which could lead to “outstanding business performance and operational success” according to an Integrated Healthcare Strategies report.

It’s all about patient care, experience and quality of treatment outcomes. Hospitals and private healthcare clinics can no longer afford to be cold or indifferent to patients (if, that is, they ever could). The internet has allowed patients to become far more educated than ever before.

The internet has also allowed patients to shop around before they chose a doctor. This is why focus on the patient experience and quality of care is high on the list of priorities for CEOs and CMOs.

If your hospital or private practice doesn’t take care of patient, or it has bad reviews online, people will go elsewhere.
As more physicians take leadership roles, let’s hope this only serves to improve the patient experience and quality of care.

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