To provide an expedient and fair review, an effective system for data management is also required. Stability as well as quality within an IPA is paramount. Physicians must be willing to make a commitment for at least a year and often beyond. Although most IPAs are formed from existing medical staff, the new organization should be separate from the original one. The IPA need not include every physician on the staff, but it should seek the membership of physicians whose practices are cost-effective and efficient.
Internal cooperation is also essential.
Physicians should try to minimize competition among themselves and remain compatible with the missions and goals of the hospitals at which they practice. In the past, hospitals and physicians have had difficulty relating to one another because of a lack of mutual objectives. To excel in the contract medicine environment, however, both trust and open and ongoing communication between a hospital and physician are compelling requirements. Success also will depend on exclusivity. The importance of physican allegiance to the organization cannot be overstated.