5 ways physician advisers can collaborate with case managers on care transitions

When it comes to transition management in the hospital, the support of a physician adviser can be a strong asset. Initially defined as someone who provides basic utilization review functions, this role has evolved to a position that drives performance across the hospital. In fact, today’s physician advisers help lead change within the organization and medical staff to achieve better patient outcomes and a healthier bottom line.

Physician Advisers Defined

With this evolution, physician advisers can now be classified as both change agents and outcomes drivers. As change agents, physician advisers monitor outcomes data and meet with physician groups to share best practices and evidence-based care, as well as motivate medical staff to practice specific treatment protocols. As outcomes drivers, physician advisers focus on better patient outcomes while balancing costs to avoid unnecessary hospital stays and ensure that documentation supports the care provided. In addition, physician advisers work closely with IT departments to evaluate automation and technology opportunities, with an understanding of the data and metrics that drive quality outcomes at a patient and physician level.

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Five Ways for Physician Advisers to Work with Case Managers

Much of the work that physician advisers do overlaps the case management department, which is why the two need to work together as a team. This teamwork is especially necessary when it comes to transitions of care. Below are five ways physician advisers can work with the case management department on care transitions:

Leverage technology: Physician advisers and case managers should work in the same applications and systems, or in systems that interoperate.
Make daily case management rounds: Being visible makes physician advisers more accessible to the case management staff.
Understand care transition metrics: Readmission rates and length of stay are important care transition metrics, but post-acute provider performance, referral initiation time and delay days surrounding discharge should also be measured.
Attend case management leadership meetings: Industry meetings provide a venue to discuss data, strategies, difficult cases and best practices.
Network with professional associations: Organizations such as the National Association of Physician Advisors (NAPA) and the American College of Physician Advisors (ACPA) are developing standards to guide physician advisers as they work with case management and other departments.

It is clear that the physician adviser role in care transitions will continue to evolve and will require collaboration with case managers. How does your organization manage in a transition-focused world? Sound off in the comments!