2006 Practice Management Committee members at Conference Front row: Eric W. Mason, M.D., Paul Rein, D.O., Barbara M. DeRiso, M.D., Genie Blough, M.B.A., Gary W. Kimzey, M.D., Susan Dobbs Curling, M.D., Steven L. Sween, M.D., Linda B. Hertzberg, M.D., Frank A. Rosinia, M.D. Back row: Ronald Szabat, J.D., LL.M., Jack S. Folbe, M.D., Robert E. Johnstone, M.D., Asa C. Lockhart, M.D., Karl E. Becker, Jr., M.D., David C. Mackey, M.D., Michael W. Champeau, M.D., Alex A. Hannenberg, M.D., Karin Bierstein, J.D., and Gifford V. Eckhout, Jr., M.D. Photo by Robert E. Johnstone, M.D.

Four hundred and seventy anesthesiologists and administrators attended the 2006 Conference on Practice Management in Orlando, Florida. Held the last weekend of January, this was the 13th annual conference. Attendees rated it the best so far. Planning the conference is a primary activity of the Committee on Practice Management [see photo above].

New for the 2006 conference were exhibitors, an evening reception and a final wrap-up panel. Exhibit space sold out early and ensured a sizable profit for the conference. The evening reception facilitated networking among the attendees and discussions with graduates of the ASA Certificate in Business Administration program.

Fourteen anesthesiologists, six attorneys, three consultants and two administrators lectured. They covered such diverse practice management topics as strategic development, contracting, information systems, quality management, pay-for-performance (P4P) programs, handling disruptive colleagues and customer service. Three breakout sessions grouped presentations on practice issues, administrator views and improving quality.

Attendees described the conference speakers as colorful, dramatic, informed and helpful. Following are quotes that illustrate these descriptions:

“Disruptive physicians rarely seek professional help on their own, nor do they even recognize the effects of their behavior. So it may be up to you — just like some pediatric anesthetics — to hold them down and bring that realization to them.” — James S. Hicks, M.D., in “How to Handle Disruptive Colleagues: Leadership Responsibilities.”

“Each subsequent meeting was something completely different than the last. New demands were made by the hospital, accompanied by requests for additional data. By now, their intentions were clear. We were never going to reach a deal. This was just a stall to allow them to secure locums coverage.” — Reed Landmark, M.B.A., in “Lessons Learned in Navigating the Loss of a Hospital.”

“P4P systems must be a value-added for both health plans and providers. Health plans will have to justify the value of P4P programs by proving they are clinically relevant, offer incentives that improve margins, provide sufficient patient volume and use measures that are easily administered.” Stanley W. Stead, M.D., in “Pay-for-Performance: How Anesthesiology Can Participate.”
“Inevitably, surveyors will find problems, and staff will be tempted to argue. This is to be avoided. It is better to defer to a more knowledgeable individual than to keep digging when in a hole.” — Jerry A. Cohen, M.D., in “The Joint Commission Tap Dance — How to Stay in Step.”

Speakers, practice management committee members and expert anesthesiologists led 21 discussion tables [Table 1]. These proved popular as attendees moved among discussion groups and shared their own experiences. Committee members volunteered their time and found participation personally valuable.

Members can purchase copies of individual presentations, as well as the entire syllabus, through the “Practice Management” section of the ASA Web site. Planning is now under way for the 2007 Conference on Practice Management in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 26-28, 2007. Registration will open at the ASA 2006 Annual Meeting in Chicago this October.

Robert E. Johnstone, M.D., is Professor of Anesthesiology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. He is the ASA Director from West Virginia.