Starting an OGME program benefits a hospital, its patients, medical staff, the community, and the hospital’s bottom line in many ways. An OGME program helps a hospital address key issues such as physician workforce shortages, competition for well-paid services, and the need to improve quality and safety while controlling health care costs. A teaching program creates a culture of education, providing value to the hospital through:
Enhanced patient care quality
Improved physician recruitment and retention
Reduced recruiting expenses
Improved succession planning
In-house coverage 24/7
Reduced medical staff coverage expenses
Additional funding stream from Medicare GME payment
Ongoing professional review mechanism
Enhanced service to the community
Expanded primary care physician base
Increased indigent care through ambulatory clinics
Opportunity to expand scope of services
Enhanced community relations
Teaching hospital prestige = competitive advantage
Expanded referral network
Tighter bonds among attendings, house staff and nursing
Atmosphere of life-long learning
Increased medical staff satisfaction from teaching and mentoring
Enhanced opportunities for continuing medical education
Potential for clinical trials and medical research
Increased comfort level for nursing
Admissions from loyal cadre of former residents
Future medical staff leadership
Note: Funding also may be available from Medicaid, the Veterans Administration, Department of Defense or other federal or state programs
Employing a strategic approach to GME planning, consultants from the OGME Development Initiative can assist your hospital as it explores these benefits, builds support for a new program among hospital and medical staff leadership, and determines what specialty programs best address hospital and community needs.
Our consultants can answer your questions, work peer-to-peer with hospital and medical staff leadership, share their expertise and experience, estimate start-up costs and Medicare payment and guide you through the accreditation process. The Initiative’s strategic approach to GME helps your hospital plan and implement a financially sustainable, high quality training program within Medicare and accreditation requirements.