Secrets To Running a C-L Service Without an MBA. Co-sponsored by ACLP's C-L Division Directors' SIG and Business of C-L Psychiatry Subcommittee

Abstract: A 2019 survey of CL service directors showed that while nearly 60% had been in practice more than 10 years, approximately 50% had been in their role for less than 5 years. Half of directors also reported limited or no healthcare leadership training. Demonstrating the value of their service was of high importance, but service directors felt weak in this area (Bronson, 2021). Ironically, one of the ACGME CL psychiatry fellowship core program requirements is for fellows to have “organizational and administrative skills needed to finance, staff, and manage a consultation-liaison psychiatry service, including knowledge of integrated, collaborative, and multidisciplinary models of care” (ACGME, 2020). How can this occur if service directors themselves are not comfortable in this space?

This workshop aims to help new and veteran CL service directors and business-savvy trainees hone their skills for illustrating their teams’ critical role within the hospital. There will be a didactic (55 min) and interactive (35 min) portion, the latter which will include a “live” case example from a current CL service. Participants will break into groups and “make a case” to add FTEs to their service. Will Dr. Fleisch budge?

Brian Bronson, MD will present the results of a national CL service director survey and moderate discussion and interactive breakout groups. (10 min)

Stephanie Cho, MD will discuss foundational business and administrative concepts in the context of CL psychiatry service lines, as well as identify key stakeholders and their roles in healthcare administration. (15 min)

Anna Dickerman, MD will discuss how to select and track quality metrics when advocating for additional support staff on a CL service and how to incorporate trainees in service development and administration. (15 min)

Marra Ackerman, MD will discuss the development of a dashboard to collect operational and safety metrics for strategic use in negotiations with hospital leadership and other service lines as well as to develop related QI projects. (15 min)

Sheryl Fleisch, MD will lead an interactive case discussion where participants will have access to the FTEs, RVUs, and collections of a CL service over 2 years. How will you balance faculty, trainee, and consultant needs? Your goal will be to increase margin and negotiate additional FTE. (35 min)

Present case (5 min)

Break into groups (10 min)

Volunteer to role play negotiation scenario with Dr. Fleisch (10 min)

Group Discussion with panelists (10 min)

References:
1. Bronson, B, Perlman G: The Management Experiences, Priorities, and Challenges of Medical Directors in the Subspecialty of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry: Results of a Needs Assessment. Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2021; 62.3: 309-317.

2. Common Program Requirements - ACGME. https://www.acgme.org/globalassets/PFAssets/ProgramRequirements/409_ConsultationLiaisonPsychiatry_2020.pdf?ver=2020-06-19-132534-420&ver=2020-06-19-132534-420. Accessed 3/31/2022.

Note: Not eligible for ASWB credit.