Dr. Adil Sajwani writes: Why Replacing Quality Doctors with Cheaper Ones Can Harm Both Patients and the Bottom Line in Today's Healthcare Industry ?
Dr. Adil Sajwani
Family Medicine | Distinguished Physician | Health Awareness | Medical Education | Personal Account
In today's healthcare industry, organizations are under increasing pressure to cut costs while maintaining quality care. One way they may attempt to achieve this is by replacing higher paid doctors with cheaper ones. However, the reality is that quality doctors are not replaceable, and organizations may find that this strategy ultimately harms their patients and their bottom line.
Quality doctors possess a combination of technical expertise, interpersonal skills, and experience. They have undergone rigorous training, and have likely dedicated years to their field, accumulating knowledge and skills that cannot be easily replicated. This expertise is critical to diagnosing and treating patients effectively, and can have a profound impact on their health outcomes.
Moreover, quality doctors have the ability to connect with patients and build trust, which can be especially important in vulnerable or complex cases. A patient who feels heard and understood by their doctor is more likely to adhere to treatment plans, and more likely to have a positive overall experience with their healthcare provider. These factors can have a direct impact on patient satisfaction, which is increasingly important in a consumer-driven healthcare market.
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When organizations replace quality doctors with cheaper ones, they risk compromising both patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. Cheaper doctors may lack the experience, expertise, and interpersonal skills necessary to provide the same level of care. This can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, or even medical errors, all of which can have serious consequences for patients.
Furthermore, organizations may find that the cost savings associated with hiring cheaper doctors are short-lived. Lower-quality care can lead to higher rates of readmission, complications, and other adverse events, all of which can increase healthcare costs over time. Additionally, the loss of reputation and trust that may result from a decline in patient outcomes or satisfaction can also harm an organization's bottom line in the long run.
In short, quality doctors are not replaceable. While organizations may be tempted to cut costs by hiring cheaper doctors, the consequences of doing so can be dire. Patients deserve the best possible care, and organizations should prioritize hiring and retaining quality doctors in order to provide that care. By doing so, they will not only improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, but also their own bottom line.
Consultant Rheumatologist & Consultant Physician
1 年Quality only. Not doctor job to earn the money for hospital. Doctors job is only to provide quality services to the patients. Most health facilities looking for money money and money. I’m more satisfied if my patients are happy rather than my so called bosses are happy
General Physician obstetric & gynaecology at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah
1 年Very well said
Consultant Gynaecologist & Reproductive Medicine/ Head of Fertility & IVF at Sulaiman Al Habib Dubai
1 年A very insightful piece and reflects a snapshot of what is currently happening and the risks it poses long term and actually in the near future. Patients are smart and they can tell the difference between what is quality healthcare and they will walk away from organisations that follow this model
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist & Director Of Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Fakeeh University Hospital
1 年Dear Dr.Adil,I admire your comment.You have written it well.I do agree what you have said.But if you put things under the microscope a lot of invisible,dark things will unravel.Firstly,some physicians are being employed with an unexpectedly high salary.At this point both the employee and employer are at fault for unrealistic approach.After a while when there is performance-return mismatch,an uncomfortable situation arises.To resolve this issue the healthcare system must formulate a salary structure as per the physician's qualifications,experience,expertise and value in the sector.There should not be too much variation. Secondly,the pity politics among the colleagues that leads to grouping,favourism and toxic environment.With time the non-clinical personal also get wet in this muddy water. The only solution to this situation is an unbiased,strong leadership both in admin and clinical level,that creates a balance. Thirdly,patience!We need to have plenty of patience.Growth comes with time and patience.Replacing physicians from high salaried one to lower salaried one will never make a positive long-term result. As you have said,health care is a very complex industry.Formulas and calculations dont work all the time.