Would a Nursing Home Physician Specialty Resolve the Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care?
Authors: Paul R. Katz
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

Letters15 September 2009Would a Nursing Home Physician Specialty Resolve the Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care?Paul R. Katz, MD, Jurgis Karuza, PhD, and Vincent Mor, PhDPaul R. Katz, MDFrom University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester NY, 14620, and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI 02912.Search for more papers by this author, Jurgis Karuza, PhDFrom University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester NY, 14620, and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI 02912.Search for more papers by this author, and Vincent Mor, PhDFrom University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester NY, 14620, and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI 02912.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-6-200909150-00015 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Although the authors of these letters seem to agree about the need for physicians with the knowledge and skill set unique to nursing home care, they each describe several challenges, including the complex organizational, quality improvement, team management, and regulatory interface that is required.Dr. Phillips and Dr. Villa note that the industry must take a central role in defining the priorities for medical practice. A first step is establishing quality metrics, such as preventing rehospitalization and assuring seamless care transitions. As Dr. Phillips suggests, full system reform will take decades to implement. Still, these new metrics can ...References1. Caprio T. Physician practice in the nursing home: Collaboration with nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Ann Long Term Care. 2006;14:17-24. Google Scholar2. Birkmeyer JD, Stukel TA, Siewers AE, Goodney PP, Wennberg DE, Lucas FL. Surgeon volume and operative mortality in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2003;349:2117-27. [PMID: 14645640] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Halm EA, Lee C, Chassin MR. Is volume related to outcome in health care? A systematic review and methodologic critique of the literature. Ann Intern Med. 2002;137:511-20. [PMID: 12230353] LinkGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Paul R. Katz, MD; Jurgis Karuza, PhD; Vincent Mor, PhDAffiliations: From University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester NY, 14620, and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI 02912.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoIs Volume Related to Outcome in Health Care? A Systematic Review and Methodologic Critique of the Literature Ethan A. Halm , Clara Lee , and Mark R. Chassin Nursing Home Physician Specialists: A Response to the Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care Paul R. Katz , Jurgis Karuza , Orna Intrator , and Vincent Mor Would a Nursing Home Physician Specialty Resolve the Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care? Cheryl L. Phillips Would a Nursing Home Physician Specialty Resolve the Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care? Marie-Luz Villa Would a Nursing Home Physician Specialty Resolve the Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care? Heidi K. White , Gwendolen Buhr , Jose Gonzalez , and Would a Nursing Home Physician Specialty Resolve the Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care? Leslie S. Libow and Gisele Wolf-Klein Would a Nursing Home Physician Specialty Resolve the Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care? William B. Freedberg Metrics 15 September 2009Volume 151, Issue 6Page: 432KeywordsConflicts of interestElderlyGraduate medical educationHealth care qualityHospitalistsLong-term careNursesNursing homesQuality improvement ePublished: 15 September 2009 Issue Published: 15 September 2009 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2009 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...