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CMW Tip of the week: The role of the physician advisor

Case Management Weekly, June 18, 2008

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This week’s tip, an ask the expert, is provided by Karen Zander, RN, MS, CMAC, FAAN and Shawna Grossman Kates, MSW, MBA, CMAC.

Q: Can the role of the physician advisor be implemented part-time?

A: Karen Zander: Depending on the complexity of the organization, it can be a part-time role. But whether they are full-time, part-time for eight hours, or half-time, the role has to be really well-defined. It’s important that the time the physician advisor spends is clearly organized. It is important to say things like, “We want you to spend two hours a week doing complex care rounds,” for example. It isn’t the amount of time the PA spends; it is the way the role is organized.

Shawna Grossman Kates: Also, if you have a PA that is part-time Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for example, then there still has to be some sort of influence on Tuesday. There has to be somebody cushioning the process and preparing for the PA’s return on Wednesday. This can be the role of a UR committee, a case management advisory committee, or some other functional team.

Have a question that you’d like to ask our experts? Email it to jmcginley@hcpro.com. Your question could be featured in the next issue of Case Management Weekly!

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