Can Business and Medicine Co-Exist?

The business of medicine has matured in the last few years. The bottom line for all healthcare providers has taken on new meaning, such that any project or proposal is analyzed for its impact on the profit-and-loss statement. A nun was recently heard to say “No money, no mission.” Such is the dramatic change in the focus of healthcare.

Look around in your community. What do the hospital providers look like? How many hospitals are open now, versus 10 years ago? How many closures and mergers? How many hospital beds have been closed? What new services are being provided? What services have been discontinued, and why?
 
What distinguishes the large successful physician group from the failing group? How many of the old groups have gone up in smoke? What happened to them? They seemed to be so good. Are success and failure simply artifacts of fate and luck? Are you lucky or unlucky? Where are you in this jumbled up marketplace? Are you famously successful, or leading a marginal existence? Are you, your group, or your hospital teetering on the brink of disaster? Any clue where you and your hospital will be five years from now? These times are indeed troubling, as are these questions.
 
Welcome to BusinessAndMedicine.com. It is our goal and our promise to lead you to and through the quagmire of business in the healthcare environment. Our desire is to help you through the hard times if those circumstances have befallen you. And if your business is currently successful, our desire is to help you further improve and solidify your position in the marketplace.
 
Please browse the web site at your leisure, and return frequently as the site will be routinely updated with new ideas and content. Further, please respond with thoughtful commentary at the “Talk Back” function. For certain, all participants will receive the most benefit through dialogue. It is through dialogue that all will understand the challenges of the marketplace.
 
Let us help you help yourself.

David F. Hayes, MD