Physician leadership takes on different meanings across different specialties and care settings, exemplifying the broad skillset that physicians are capable of adapting to and cultivating.
Adam Fritz, DMSc, chief clinical officer of Overland Park, Kan.-based Aria Care Partners, recently joined Becker’s to discuss what physician leadership looks like in skilled-nursing facilities and how it differs from other specialties.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What does physician leadership look like in post-acute care and skilled nursing facilities?
Dr. Adam Fritz: I would say the major difference is advocacy. Providers in this space are more of an advocate for the patient as well as providing care and they’re building relationships with the family, usually not just the patient or the responsible parties. There’s more touch points and more partnerships involved with both the home, the family and the patient.
Q: What are some lessons that physicians in other specialties could take from this space. Maybe things that are not as much of a part of their day-to-day currently, but they could apply to their own leadership?
AF: I think patience in this space is really key. I think having more time to listen, having more time to not feel so urgently rushed.
Whether it be urgent care, emergency rooms, primary care, we’re all trying to get to the next patient and we’re trying to do the best we can. But there’s a lot of constraints with that at times in this space. There’s an older generation, and they want to be heard still, and you need to be patient, listen, and take your time to really see what they need. That may be different than your traditional patient that’s not in a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
Q: What are some of the most exciting developments you’ve seen in this space, especially initiatives related to physician leadership? What’s on the horizon and what’s growing?
AF: First of all, I think it’s a growing space for specialties to get into these facilities and make change — the growing attention that it’s getting is huge. I think technology and being able to reach patients other than your traditional face-to-face is helping get to places quicker. I think developing mobile transportable equipment, things that allow us to go into these facilities and see patients has gotten much better over the years.
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