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Physician executives give pay-for-performance mixed reviews

Physician Practice Advisor, November 9, 2005

Physician executives are unsure what to make of pay-for-performance (P4P) programs, according to the results of a new poll. Almost 40% of poll respondents participate in a pay-for-performance program but approximately 60% say it's too early to tell whether these programs are a fair way to reward physicians for quality improvement.

One physician wrote in the comments section of the survey: "The concept of P4P is correct but we have a long way to go before all of the unintended consequences are addressed and before the true value of P4P is achieved. To achieve the desired aims, P4P programs must remain rooted in quality measurements and only later, after achieving a critical mass of credibility, should cost-efficiency measures be added."

The poll by the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) surveyed over 900 physician executives. Other poll results include the following:

• 57.5% are considering a participating in a P4P program
• 75.2% say that P4P rewards physicians who meet performance goals
• 37.8% say P4P reduces medical errors and improves quality
• 59.8% say that P4P will become a permanent part of healthcare
• 18.1% say P4P is a fad

To view the ACPE poll, click here.

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