Case 7-MBA 683
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School
Marist College *
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Course
MBA 683N
Subject
Medicine
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
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4
Uploaded by SargentElement1582
Doctor drama this week in case 7, Medical Associates! On pages 198-
199 (other concerns and plans subhead for those of you using an ebook)
the medical staff is gridlocked over what type of physicians should be
recruited to add to the practice. Your task this week is to contribute to
the debate between Drs. Putter and Underwood, giving a well-reasoned,
data-based recommendation on next staffing moves. Use the data from
the case and any outside resources you may need to support your
decision. (Note: this is a good week to go back to case 1 and look at
community demographic data too.)
The debate between Drs. Putter and Underwood are complex, with no easy answers. Dr.
Putter argues for the recruitment of more primary care physicians, while Dr. Underwood argues
for the addition of more specialists. Both arguments have merit. Ultimately, the decision of
which type of physicians to recruit is a difficult one. There are no easy answers, and the best
course of action will likely vary depending on the specific needs of the practice. However, by
carefully considering the arguments of both Drs. Putter and Underwood, Medical Associates can
make an informed decision that is in the best interests of its patients.
In order to make a well-reasoned, data-based recommendation, we need to consider
several factors:
●
Community Demographic Data
: If we look back at Table 1.3, Hillsboro County
Population, we see that Jasper has the highest population since 2014 with 54,293 in the
year of 2024. While Middleboro is second highest with the population of 49,003 in 2024.
Also, if we look at Table 1.4, Hillsboro County Age Profile by Sex, 2024. We see that
both Jasper and Middleboro have the highest population in the ages from 25 to 44, age
population from 45 to 64 as second highest. While both age populations of 5-14 and 15-
24 were slightly close from one another, they're third and fourth highest in population.
This data can provide insights into the health needs of the community. For instance, if the
community is predominantly young families, more primary care physicians might be
needed.
●
Current Staffing Levels
: The current ratio of primary care physicians to specialists can
also guide the decision. In Table 7.1, we see that Middleboro has 28 doctors, while Jasper
has 22 doctors. However, the staffing ratio is different in each area. For instance, in
Middleboro there is one doctor in Cardiology, three in ENT, six in General Surgery, six in
Internal Medicine, two in OB/GYN, four in Pediatrics and two in Orthopedic Surgery.
While Jasper has three doctors in Cardiology,
two in ENT, one in General Surgery, four
in OB/GYN, two in Internal Medicine, five in Pediatrics and four in Orthopedic Surgery.
If there are already a high number of specialists, it may be more beneficial to recruit
primary care physicians, and vice versa.
●
Patient Demand
: Patient demand for different types of services can also be a deciding
factor.
In Table 7.5, it shows that Middleboro has a total of 14,189 patient days in all
hospitals; while Jasper has 8,907 of patient days in all hospitals. However, if we look into
both Table 7.2 and 7.3, although the patient days are the same, the appointment from each
doctor of specialities is higher than both patient days and discharge. If there is a high
demand for specialist services that is not being met, it would make sense to recruit more
specialists. For instance, in Table 7.2, in the Middleboro Facility, doctors that specialize
in Internal Medicine have the most appointments than doctors in Cardiology,
Endocrinology, and Urology. While Table 7.3, in Jasper Facility have more appointments
in Pediatrics and OB/GYN than Thoraics, ENT, and Internal Medicine combined.
Based on the aforementioned factors, I offer the following recommendation
:
●
If the community demographic data indicates a high demand for primary care
services, and the current staffing levels are skewed towards specialists, then the
practice should recruit more primary care physicians.
This is because primary care
physicians are the first point of contact for patients, and they play a vital role in managing
chronic diseases, providing preventive care, and coordinating care with specialists. By
recruiting more primary care physicians, the practice can better meet the needs of the
community and ensure that patients have access to the care they need.
●
Conversely, if the community has a high demand for specialist services, and the
current staffing levels are skewed towards primary care physicians, then the
practice should recruit more specialists.
This is because specialists have the expertise
to diagnose and treat complex medical conditions. By recruiting more specialists, the
practice can ensure that patients have access to the care they need, even if it is a condition
that is not commonly seen by primary care physicians.
This recommendation is based on the principle of balancing supply with demand, and
ensuring that the practice can meet the health needs of the community it serves.
By
recruiting the appropriate mix of primary care and specialist physicians, the practice can ensure
that patients have access to the care they need, when they need it.
In conclusion, the decision on whether to recruit more primary care physicians or
specialists should be based on a careful analysis of community demographic data, current
staffing levels, and patient demand. This approach ensures that the practice can effectively meet
the health needs of the community it serves.
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Reference
Seidel, L., & Lewis, J. (2022). The Middleboro Casebook: Healthcare Strategy and Operations
(3rd ed.). Health Administration Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781640553491