Emerging Issues in Physician Workforce (Plenary Session)-Emerging Issues in Physician Workforce-Healing Moral Injury with Phillip Sossenheimer

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The article discusses the issue of hospital consolidation and its impact on the healthcare industry. It highlights that there have been 1,887 hospital mergers between 1998 and 2021, which has led to increased costs, limited access, and compromised care quality. The rise in private equity investment in the healthcare sector has further accelerated consolidation and undermined competition, putting patients at risk. The COVID-19 pandemic has also significantly impacted acquisitions of physician practices and employment.<br /><br />The article references the American Medical Association (AMA) from the 1930s, which warned about the deterioration of medical services and harm to the public when physicians become employees and their services are treated as commodities. It suggests that the rise of hospital dominance has resulted in the loss of physician authority.<br /><br />To address these challenges, the article recommends the restoration of physician authority and the potential of physician unions. It argues that physician unions can help in advocating for better working conditions, fair compensation, and the preservation of patient care standards. The article emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy by physicians in order to heal the moral injury of the profession.<br /><br />The article concludes by mentioning the increasing membership of the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR), which currently has thousands of members. It suggests that physicians need to come together, unite their voices, and actively participate in addressing the issues faced by the healthcare industry.<br /><br />Overall, the article highlights the negative consequences of hospital consolidation and the need for physicians to advocate for themselves and their patients. It underscores the potential of physician unions and collective action to restore physician authority and improve the delivery of healthcare services.

Asset Caption

Healing the Moral Injury of a Profession
A Prescription for Self Advocacy
By Philip Sossenheimer MD, MS

Keywords

hospital consolidation

healthcare industry

hospital mergers

increased costs

limited access

compromised care quality

private equity investment

physician authority

physician unions

physician advocacy