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Clearly delineate expectations

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, December 15, 2009

Physicians are achievers by nature, selection, and training. Therefore, if you tell hospitalists what is expected of them, they will likely have a better understanding of how to meet those expectations.

It is imperative to let hospitalist know the following:

• At what intervals they can expect to be evaluated (e.g., 60 days post-hire, six months post-hire, and annually thereafter)
• On what criteria they will be evaluated
• Who will conduct their evaluations (including who gathers the data and who conducts the in-person review)
• What tools will be used to measure their performance (e.g., patient satisfaction surveys, length-of-stay rates, readmissions, etc.)
• What opportunities they will have to give feedback on the results of their evaluation

Consider drafting a brief outline discussing these points and distributing it to new and existing hospitalists. The evaluation should, at a minimum, include the expectations of the provider as communicated through the job description. Remember to protect the evaluation process findings from individuals who are not involved in the evaluation process, except on a need-to-know basis. Doing so will foster an honest and frank discussion and a corrective plan for any of the provider’s shortcomings. It will also serve as an educational rather than punitive tool.

The above excerpt is adapted from Tools and Strategies for an Effective Hospitalist Program by Jeffrey R. Dichter, MD, FACP, and Kenneth G. Simone, DO, published by HCPro, Inc.

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