Basic Responsibilities & Practices
New health-care providers quickly learn that there is far more to the practice of medicine than examination, diagnosis and treatment. Some of the additional responsibilities are intuitive, and some of them are taught in medical school, residency or other training programs. However, many of the necessary basic responsibilities have to be learned from other sources.
Regardless of whether a physician requires new information or reinforcement of previously learned material, ELM programs inform, by example, how to approach these challenging situations, in order to competently address them. Before the first patient walks through the door, the physician must assure that the office is prepared to provide appropriate care. ELM programs teach the risks of patient injury which may result in from inadequate medical record-keeping and documentation. Orientation of the entire office staff to these safety measures assures that laboratory reports are appropriately reviewed and results provided to the patient and that there is appropriate follow up of abnormalities. Familiarity with applicable statutory provisions, for example those regarding management of bio-hazardous wastes and sharps must be available to all office personnel. HIPAA forms or other privacy policies and documentation of patient understanding of these procedures must be in place. Procedures for necessary consultation and referral should be established, and ELM programs assist physicians in understanding the roles of a consultant and referral physician. If minors are to be cared for, ELM programs help the physician understand the procedures for obtaining consent for their treatment and how it differs from that of an adult patient.
The physician must understand his or her responsibilities as the office or practice supervisor. ELM programs assist the provider in assuring that all of the staff members understand their individual roles as extenders of the physician’s practice. ELM programs point out the risks to patient safety which may result from abusive conduct toward staff, colleagues or patients, and the real danger of continuing to practice under a disability or when hampered by substance abuse. A physician must also understand the responsibility which he/she has to the general public. ELM courses explore potential duties to individuals other than the patient who may be injured because of contagious disease, effects of treatment given to the patient and even harm to future generations not yet conceived.
Physicians reasonably expect fair compensation for their services. However, the complexities of billing under the many insurance and governmental programs can make this process difficult. ELM programs assist the provider in understanding the consequences associated with inappropriate billing code submission and the potential for civil, or even criminal, actions which may follow improper billing.
At times it may be necessary for a provider to discontinue the care of the patient. This may be the result of a refusal of the insurer to provide compensation, the need for a patient to change providers because of a change in insurer or because the physician deems a change in providers to be in the patient's and/or the practice’s best interest. ELM programs assist the provider in appropriate discontinuance of care and to differentiate such action from patient abandonment.
Course Recommendations
Your ELM consultant can assist you in selection from the following courses those best suited to your practice situation.