Seeking out value in medical groups.

Choosing a physician is one of the most important, personal and fundamental decisions anyone ever makes for themselves and their family. While employers don't directly select the physician for each member of their workforce, they do play an important role in the process through the health plan options they offer and the community-based physicians from which their employees may choose.

As employees have become more educated on healthcare (thanks to the Internet, direct consumer advertising, and a generally more empowered consumer), they are more and more understanding of the importance in the physician selection process. Smart employers are recognizing this too.... for finding a way to meet their employees' expectations regarding what a physician office has to offer leads to happy and healthier employees. And that means everyone benefits.

Because physician selection is so personal, each individual has different criteria as to what makes the "right" physician for them ... clinical excellence, "bedside" manner, insurance accepted, office location and hours, courtesy of staff, languages spoken, ease of appointment scheduling, hospital affiliation and so on. One of the most important criteria of all is whether the physician is in an individual practice or part of a group and, "if in a group, what added-value benefits that group may bring.

Today, there are approximately 80,000 practicing physicians in California, one for every 400 people in the state. As healthcare continues to face challenges relative to affordability, access and quality, the physician industry has migrated from one of independent or small practices into an organized system of physician groups who collectively have the resources and medical know-how necessary to deliver high quality healthcare in a cost effective manner.

By definition, a "medical group" is a practice with generally three or more physicians who share an office, or multiple offices depending on the size of the group. These physicians frequently exchange information and share expertise to the tremendous benefit of the patient. This access to several doctors who can, in essence, provide "second opinions" as to the best course of treatment based on the consistent use of evidence-based medicine, has been shown to eliminate unnecessary and sometimes risky procedures, thus saving dollars and leading to better outcomes. It is also why medical groups are credited with many of the innovations in healthcare that have been proven to enhance patient safety and improve quality.

Many medical groups, unlike an individual physician, have the capacity to offer supportive services in a single location. In addition to primary care, a group may also offer on-site radiology--such as MRIs, CT scans and x-rays--laboratory services and even advanced clinical services such as virtual colonography. Offering all of these as part of a "one stop shop" provides the patient tremendous convenience. It benefits the employer by resulting in less time away from work and thus reduced absenteeism.

Some medical groups have been responsive to the growing consumer demand for complementary healthcare--now a $40 billion market in the United States--and have added to their roster practitioners specializing in this area of medicine. This could include anything from acupuncture to homeopathic medicine. Once on board, these physicians not only draw patients from the broader community who wish to explore alternative treatment but find themselves receiving referrals directly from other physicians in the group when they feel that this approach might be most beneficial (as is often the case involving pain treatment). Admittedly, the number of medical groups who have responded to the demand for complementary medicine is not yet where it should be, giving those who do offer it an important, decided edge in the market.

As medical groups strive to add additional value-added services for both patients and employers, creative new programs continue to emerge. For example, some groups have created "expedited appointment programs" designed with today's busy life and work schedules in mind. This type of program allows patients suffering from one simple, uncomplicated illness or ailment (cough, sore throat, eye or ear infection, or urinary tract infection, for example) to be diagnosed and treated with a five-minute office visit. As another example, medical groups may offer urgent care centers--also called "after hours clinics"--as a convenient and time-saving alternative to lengthy hospital emergency room visits.

From an employer perspective, most medical groups place a strong emphasis on keeping patients healthy and well By applying resources to prevention and patient education, many groups offer value-added services such as health education classes or disease management programs. Some groups even work with local employers to conduct health education sessions, such as nutrition or smoking cessation, often at the worksite itself. These same groups may work with employers to identify and address specific healthcare needs of their employees and then customize programs that directly respond to those needs.

All employers know what a critical issue healthcare is today. It affects their bottom line along with their workers' productivity and spirit. Fortunately, there are things employers can do to positively impact the health and healthcare options for their business. Looking for a medical group that provides value-added benefits and a creative approach to healthcare delivery is a good place to start.

Henry P. Sideropoulos, M.D., is president and chairman of the board of Arroyo Seco Medical Group, a 25-year-old primary care group with offices in Glendale, Arcadia and Pasadena.