Development of a local physician executive leadership program

Dramatic change are occurring at a rapid pace throughout the United States in virtually all aspects of health care delivery. Physicians, hospitals, consumer groups, and others are thus facing new and greater uncertainties and are forced to adapt to a continually shifting environment. Fundamentally change of this magnitude has and will continue to result in the formation of new alliances and organizations within which physicians and others will be forced to function. To participate effectively in these processes of change and to maintain influence within these new organizations, physicians will need leadership and management skills. To address the challenges facing current physician leaders and the need to develop more effective leaders, Sharp HealthCare developed its Physician Executive Leadership Program. This article describe the program and summarizes some of the lessons learned regarding the training of physician executives and leaders in today's changing health care environment.
Sharp HealthCare, a community-based, not-for-profit organization with hospitals in the San Diego, Calif. area, has been involved in the development of a regional approach to health care resources and delivery [...]