Physicians on the New Frontier of Medical Management David Brailer, M.D., Ph.D. Opportunities for physicians to become CEOs are more favorable than ever. Physicians possess unique insights and skills that are crucial to the future success of the delivery system, so they are being sought as top-level leaders. The emergence of the physician CEO is not a wholesale trend.
Many physicians are either unqualified for or disinterested in taking on such roles.
However, it is the capstone of a systemwide change in the role of physicians in executive and leadership positions in the delivery system and is symbolic of the change under way in the health care industry. This chapter examines why physicians are being called on to become CEOs, the unique challenges physician CEOs face, and how physician executives can prepare for this role.