Barlow/McCarthy Blog
Check back often to hear from our talented team of consultants. Topics covered include: Physician Relations, Physician Recruitment, Practice Marketing, Medical Staff Development, Community Health Needs Assessments, etc.
Look Back as You Look Forward
By David F. Zirkle, Ph.D So a new year is almost upon us. Besides making the obligatory observation that time seems to be moving ever more quickly, what difference does a new year make? For most of us, as the year draws to a close, there is no better time to reflect...
Now I Need to be a Practice Manager Too?
David F. Zirkle As healthcare systems scramble to acquire and employ specialty practices and physicians, many hospitals find themselves in an unfamiliar line of business – practice management. One common assumption is that physician practices can be managed in the...
Thoughts and Actions
By Kriss Barlow, RN, MBA The times certainly are changing. For some, the level of comfort within a position is very uncertain and subject to change at a moment’s notice. While it’s hard not to take a wait-and-see attitude, I suggest just the opposite. Harness your...
Ultimate Impact
By Kriss Barlow, RN, MBA Today’s internal climate can be characterized as one that desires immediate gratification and measurable results, and lives life with one eye – or maybe almost two eyes – focused on what’s next. The imperative is to show results immediately,...
Using Consumer Input to Support Your Medical Staff Planning
By: David F. Zirkle. PhD Hospitals and healthcare systems frequently conduct a variety of studies to support their planning efforts. However, the data is often used to support the project objectives for which the study was done and little consideration is given as to...
Have You Mourned the Death of a Great Idea?
Author: Kriss Barlow, RN, MBA Time and again, the weapon used to kill many of healthcare's best ideas is internal process and politics. The scenario: A creative, dedicated healthcare professional earnestly sets out to sell others on the value of the idea, and then...
All I Really Want This Season Are Two Customer Satisfaction Questions
By David F. Zirkle, PhD Market researchers have known for quite some time that individuals become more reflective as the year winds down. Human nature drives most of us to assess the past year and plan for the coming one. This would seem an ideal time to approach...
Communication and Synergy
By Kriss Barlow, RN, MBA Every organization has a physician or two that has “a reputation” – and we are not talking about the good kind of reputation. Regardless of your role in the continuum of physician strategy, there are times when you leave a conversation with a...
Have You Had Your Dose of Demographics Today?
By David F. Zirkle, PhD Most healthcare organizations have caught up with their counterparts in other industries and now are awash in rich data sources to support planning and business development efforts. While new data sources have become available, a long-time...
Business Planning in a Changing Market
Author: Kriss Barlow, RN, MBA This article has been updated by the author to reflect 2013 trends and market dynamics. Healthcare changes are occurring at an unbelievable pace and the need to do more with less is certainly part of everyone's reality. In the marketplace...