Division of Duties in Group Practice

Physician leaders' tasks

1. • Maintain clinical quality in the group practice
   
2. • Assure work effort and efficiency of the physicians
   
3. • Assure retention of physician staff
   
4. • Develop an effective physician compensation plan
   
5. • Determine physician recruitment needs and recruit competent staff
   
6. • Resolve physician personnel issues
   
7. • Deal with exceptional and problematic physicians
   
8. • Be responsible for communication of information back to the owners
   
9. • Fiduciary responsibility to oversee/monitor the financial, legal, regulatory, cultural aspects and requirements of the organization
   

 

Administrators' tasks

1. • Maintain quality in the business office functions and promote the operational efficiency of the organization
   
2. • Manage the business office functions
   
3. • Manage non-physician personnel
   
4. • Develop and implement a compensation plan for non-physician staff
   
5. • Develop appropriate business/financial plans and budgeting systems
   
6. • Develop and monitor cost containment processes
   
7. • Negotiate contracts (managed care, vendor and tenant/owner)
   
8. • Be aware of and keep the practice in compliance with government regulations
   
9. • Develop an appropriate fringe benefit package for physician and non-physician staff
   

 

Shared tasks

1. • Promote the group's vision, mission and operating objectives
   
2. • Assure customer satisfaction
   
3. • Direct strategic planning
   
4. • Maintain marketing systems
   
5. • Assure information systems development
   
6. • Develop proper procedures
   
7. • Assure effective communication within the organization
   
8. • Determine the allocation of resources to practice development, fringe benefits and current income for practice members
   
9. • Manage the group's external relationships
   
10. • Develop future physician leaders and managers
    

 

Source: Adapted from Ambulatory Care Management, Ross., A., et. al. MGMA, 1998.