Expiration Date: August 2, 2013
Approved for 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM

Hospitalists aren't the only ones becoming employed with the hospitals; increasingly, physicians seeking shelter from the hassle factors of private practice or needing coverage after malpractice insurance evaporates or believing that hospital employment will provide a more livable lifestyle are being hired by hospitals. Should the medical staff treat employees differently from the "unemployed" physicians? Can the medical staff sort out the conflicts of interests of physicians whose relationship with the hospital is primarily financial? How are credentialing, hearing rights and other peer review issues affected? Should employees serve in medical staff leadership? These issues and more are critical to those who are not employed with the hospital. Organized Medical Staffs need to be aware of the conflicts of interests that are presented with these two groups.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the conflicts of interests issues that are presented by hospital employment of physicians.
2. Explain how to adjust bylaws to address physician employment.
3. Demonstrate why self-governing medical staff is more vital than ever for both "employed" and "unemployed" physicians' patients.

Planning Committee

Roger Brown, PhD, Director, House of Delegates, AMA

James A. DeNuccio, MBA, FACHE, Director, Organized Medical Staff Services and Physicians in Practice, AMA

Louito C. Edje, Member-at-Large B, AMA-OMSS Governing Council

James A. Goodyear, MD, FACS, Secretary, AMA-OMSS Governing Council

Jay A. Gregory, MD, Chair, AMA-OMSS Governing Council

Stephen T. House, MD, Past Chair, AMA-OMSS Governing Council

Brian D. Johnston, MD, Delegate, AMA-OMSS Governing Council

Robert G. Pugach, MD, Vice Chair, AMA-OMSS Governing Council

Arthur D. Snow, Jr., MD, Member-at-Large A, AMA-OMSS Governing Council
 
Kathryn G. Tinney, M.Ed, Program Development Administrator, Organized Medical Staff Services, AMA

Lewis D. Yecies, MD, Alternate Delegate, AMA-OMSS Governing Council

Principal Faculty

Elizabeth A. Snelson, Esq., Counsel to Medical Staffs

Accreditation Statement

The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education credit for physicians.

Designation Statement

The American Medical Association designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure

The content of this activity does not relate to any product of a commercial interest as defined by the ACCME; therefore, there are no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Bibliography

Physician's Guide to Medical Staff Organization Bylaws: Fourth Edition, Office of General Counsel Organized Medical Staff Services, American Medical Association (2007).

Should you have any questions regarding this activity please contact Kathryn Tinney at kathryn.tinney@ama-assn.org or 312.464.5450 

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