Who’s Partner? Stephanie Scheffler University of St. Thomas MBC - Final Project May 15, 2008

Dr. Anderegg’s Problem  “You referred a patient to an outside physician for this? When we have one that can handle it?”  Medical Director for Group Health, 1964  “Why?”

Today’s Problem  Financial balance  Addition of new specialties

My Research Question Can HealthPartners doctors in primary care and specialties partner more in caring for patients?

What We Needed To Know  What decision-making factors were important to doctors when sending patients for specialty care?  What could we do to help increase the likelihood of the doctors referring internally?  How did they want to receive information about specialty updates and changes?

Methodology Electronic survey: 149 adult primary care doctors Clinic locations near Regions Hospital 20 questions 86 returned surveys (58%)

How long have you worked for HealthPartners (Group Health or Ramsey Clinic)?

To what extent are the following factors important when recommending a patient for specialty care? Not at allTo a limited or some extent To a considerable or great extent Type of illness or injury 0%3%97% Availability of consultation 1%19%80% Medical skill of doctor3%20%77% Previous positive experience with consulting doctor 0%27%73%

To what extent are the following factors important when recommending a patient for specialty care? Not at allTo a limited or some extent To a considerable or great extent Patient preference0%33%67% Being apart of an integrated medical group 2%33%65% Location of specialty doctor 1%51%48%

What tools would increase your likelihood to refer to a HealthPartners specialist? Someone calling and coordinating care for the patient 78% Ease of patient getting an appointment66% Patient scheduling appointment before leaving the clinic 60% Other44%

How do you want to receive information about updates/changes to HealthPartners Specialties?

Answer To The Research Question Can HealthPartners doctors in primary care and specialties partner more in caring for patients? Yes

Key Findings  Several opportunities for improved partnerships  Creating appointment availability  Communicating medical skill of our specialty doctors  Creating positive experiences  Sharing the benefits of an integrated medical group  Coordinating care for the patients  An easy on-line way to inform doctors of changes to specialties is needed

Recommendations  Work with each specialty to improve same day/next day appointment availability.  Work with each specialty to create positive experiences for the patient and the referring provider.  Work with marketing to create and put updates about specialties on-line.

HealthPartners primary and specialty doctors can be better partners. Questions?