Author

Tutor

Course

Date

Healthcare file

HYPERLINK “https://bb.umflint.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/uploadAssignment?content_id=_2169557_1&course_id=_1920671_1&mode=view” Assignment Question 3

Specialization and sub-specialization occurs in almost every organization. It refers to an agreement within an organization, group or community under which the members who are best suited for a certain task, by virtue of their location, skill, natural aptitude or any other qualification, assume a greater responsibility for its performance and execution. In healthcare facilities, specialization of physicians has varied advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

First, specialization would improve the entire system. This is because it attracts individuals with the aptitude and interest in a certain field and allows training, education and other resources to be concentrated on a smaller group that would produce immediate and improved outcomes.

In addition, specialization would improve the efficiency and consistency in the application and interpretation of various aspects in the medical field. This is because of shared awareness, experience and understanding in the small groups of physicians. These physicians would be able to identify and solve problems effectively and quickly, thereby allowing for the development and promotion of the best practices that may then be streamlined to drive change in the entire healthcare system.

In addition, the efficiency that its gained via specialization may result in enhanced outcomes that may mean substantial savings for the patients, as well as in other areas of the system.

Disadvantages

Specialization presents a number of operational challenges for the patients. First, it becomes increasingly difficult in accessing specialized services, as well as the appropriate selection or even the retention of physicians. In most cases, the patients have a problem accessing certain physicians. It is worth noting that the low number of these specialists may lead to an increase in the cost of accessing these services. On the same note, the services may reach only a small segment of the population leaving out the large proportion.

Assignment Question 4

Ambulatory surgical centers refer to medical facilities that mainly specialize on outpatient, elective same-day surgical procedures. This means that patients treated in these centers do not need admission and are sufficiently well to go home after the surgical procedure. Various reasons have led to the shift of surgery from inpatient settings to ambulatory facilities.

First, there have been a tremendous advancement in medical technology, which has removed the complication and lessened the pain involved in carrying out surgical procedures.

In addition, the late 1990s saw a tremendous increase in the supply of hospital beds, as well as physicians in the United States. These demographic changes led to an increase in competition for patients among hospital managers and doctors.

Moreover, the healthcare sector has been increasingly commercialized where investor-owned ambulatory surgery centers and hospitals have been popping out every now and then. This has encouraged numerous doctors to invest their money into these facilities. It is worth noting that ambulatory surgical centers mainly cater for patients on a referral basis.

The increase in ambulatory surgical centers has had varied effects both on the entire healthcare sector and the patients.

First, the cost of these procedures in these centers ranges between a 1/3 and a 1/2 of the cost incurred in hospitals. This means that patients benefit from low-cost operations in these facilities, which leads to intense savings. This has also triggered a downward spiral of costs in mainstream hospitals in an effort to compete effectively.

In addition, the patients have benefited from increased convenience due to a reduction in the administrative paperwork carried out in these surgical centers. In fact, many patients appreciate the fact that they can now leave the centers quickly after the surgical procedure thereby saving a lot of time.

Doctors also enjoy increased efficiency, as well as heightened control over standards and procedures. This means that they have the capacity to attend to many patients within a short time. This has led to a migration of physicians to ambulatory surgical centers from mainstream healthcare facilities.

Chapter 3 Threaded Discussion

Hospitalists

Specialization has been seen as highly economical, efficient and effective both for patients and healthcare centers. As much as the patients may have to be examined by numerous physicians, the key issue is whether the patients are accorded the best possible treatment in line with the ethical standards guiding the profession. In essence, specialization should be encouraged so as to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, the number of physicians who specialize in the varied areas, in the healthcare sector, should be increased to enhance accessibility of healthcare services.

Chapter 4 Threaded Discussion

Physician entrepreneurs

Many people have seen the introduction of entrepreneurial physicians as disloyal or even unethical, and called for reorganization of the terms of engagement with the primary hospitals so as to review their privileges. However, I think that physician-entrepreneurs should be allowed to operate without intimidation from any quarter whatsoever.

First, it is worth noting that the key issue is the reestablishment of the health of the patient. Doctors and physicians are required to put their interests aside and strive to cater for the health of the patient. In essence, the physicians should not be victimized unless they engage in activities that endanger the life of the patient, which is not the case here.

In addition, victimization of the physician-entrepreneurs is escapism, to say the least. It goes without saying that the patients go to ASCs because they are efficient, convenient and do not have bottlenecks such as volumes of administrative paperwork. In addition, physicians prefer ASCs because they have increased control on the standards and procedures of the facilities. In essence, the hospitals should learn the lessons from the physicians-entrepreneurs and improve their facilities for physicians and patients so as to enhance their competitiveness.