Hospitals are institutions that create an optimal environment allowing physicians and support personnel to carry out these activities. The merger among other things represented an attempt to institutionalize the practice of medicine. These physician referrals occur because a referring MD has confidence in a specific physician or physician group and the institution where they practice. Patients may self-refer because of prior care given by a physician and his associated colleagues. The institution where care is to be provided is a secondary consideration.
Referrals ultimately occur independent of hospital affiliation.
The bottom line is that once care begins, patients relate to their physicians and allied health personnel, not necessarily to institutions. The practice of medicine is personal, highly individual. Institutions reflect the personality and objectives of the physicians and associated staff who practice there. Our primary objective should be to take optimal care of patients in an optimal environment. This environment should be jointly created by physicians, hospital personnel, patients and the industrial affiliates of the health care industry.