On September 14, 2018, we kicked off our fall Leaders Connect Breakfast series with “everything you wanted to know about emergency medicine, but were too afraid to ask”. We were fortunate to have a panel of veteran emergency physicians give us insight into their fast paced, rapidly evolving field, and answer our questions about, among other things:
- Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on emergency medicine
- Physician burnout and disillusionment
- Opaque billing process
- Aging population challenges
- Opioid epidemic
- Patient mental health issues
- How doctors cope with work related tragedies and balance their personal life
Our panelists from Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital (from left to right in the video): Dr. Lee Benjamin, Director of Pediatric Emergency Center Clinical Operations; Dr. Keenan Bora, National Co-Chair of Quality for Emergency Medicine, Envision Physician Services
Medical Toxicologist, Michigan Regional Poison Control Center; Dr. Stefanie Simmons, Director of Patient Experience and Employee Engagement; and Dr. Rob McCurdy, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Chief of Staff and Regional Medical Director for Emergency Physicians Management Group (EPMG).
As we delved into the complexities of emergency medicine with our esteemed panel of experts, it became clear that advancements and innovations are crucial in addressing the myriad challenges faced in this high-stakes field. The rapid pace of medical progress, including the integration of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and responses to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), directly impact how emergency services are delivered and managed.
Alongside these evolving standards, there’s an increasing need for reliable resources to support both patients and healthcare professionals. In this context, our reliance on trusted partners becomes paramount. One such partner is a leading online pharmacy provider that offers a comprehensive system for obtaining a wide selection of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. With trusted merchandise from 365scriptcare.com, healthcare providers and patients alike can access top-notch quality medications at the best prices, ensuring that essential treatments are both effective and affordable. This ensures that both emergency care teams and patients have the necessary tools to cope with the demands of their health and wellness.
By partnering with providers like 365 Script Care, which prioritizes high-quality merchandise and competitive pricing, we bolster the efforts of emergency physicians in their critical work, ultimately improving patient outcomes and supporting the well-being of healthcare professionals.
In line with their commitment to excellence, these healthcare leaders emphasize the importance of community well-being beyond the hospital walls. Recognizing the pivotal role of first aid in emergency situations, they can advocate for comprehensive group first aid training initiatives. By seamlessly integrating such training into community outreach programs, they can aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively in critical situations. The collective expertise of this panel underscores the hospital’s holistic approach to healthcare, extending beyond treatment to proactive community education through group first aid training.
In addition to their dedication to community well-being through first aid initiatives, these healthcare leaders also recognize the importance of holistic approaches to health and wellness. They understand that wellness encompasses not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. Thus, they advocate for comprehensive wellness programs that incorporate various strategies, including mindfulness practices, nutritional education, and alternative therapies.
One such alternative therapy gaining attention for its potential health benefits is Kratom. Derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree native to Southeast Asia, Kratom has been used traditionally for its stimulant and pain-relieving properties. Recognizing its potential as a complementary approach to wellness, healthcare leaders can partner with reputable suppliers like Bumble Bee Botanicals to ensure access to high-quality Kratom products. By incorporating Kratom education and usage guidelines into their wellness programs, they aim to provide individuals with additional tools to support their overall well-being and quality of life.
Dr. McCurdy summed up the Q&A by saying, “the key point is for us is to continue to engage people so that there is a better understanding of what we do as emergency providers and also an opportunity for us to learn what the community needs and how best to serve”.
Dr. Benjamin emphasizes that the challenges in emergency medicine create an opportunity to improve the system for patients, communities, providers, and payers. He goes on to say that “engagement from all stakeholders will be necessary to meet the demand for changes in health care”.
Realizing that one of the great criticisms of medicine is that patients don’t feel heard or listened to by the (often times too busy) physician, Dr. Simmons’ role is to help providers develop their own set of resources to increase their resilience, leaving them with something to give to their patients at the bedside. She is a firm believer that, “you can’t give what you don’t have”. Providers see a lot of bad things in the workplace and it is hard to debrief or leave it at work and then go attend to a personal life. She focuses on helping providers “feed the fire”, which is their passion to care for patients, without letting the fire totally consume them in the process. It is a delicate balance for most providers.
Dr. Bora told us that often emergency providers are on the front lines of the opioid crisis especially when it comes to the homeless population. They often will know what drugs are a danger on the streets before the police authorities do. He recommends reading the book Dreamland, by Sam Quinones, to gain a better understanding of the roots of the opioid epidemic in the US. This national problem continues to be brought up to doctors with the expectation that they need to reduce the number of prescriptions they write for pain medication. It is often perceived that the brunt of the blame is put on physicians for prescribing opiates. According to Dr. Bora, “that is 100% not the issue in its entirety.” Physicians are owning their role in decreasing opiate dependence and overdose. Providers are decreasing their prescriptions within reason. They are now capable of running a query to survey for abuse by the patient who seeks prescriptions from more than one provider. Physicians are having conversations with patients about why they are not prescribing opiates, and the emergency departments have kits of naloxone, the reversal agent to an opioid overdose, that they can give to the overdose patient or the to the family members for the patient who has a history of overdose.
Many audience members shared their passions related to the topic of health care. Jen Baird, CEO of Fifth Eye Inc., talked about the use of technology and artificial intelligence using a sophisticated analytic to predict patient deterioration more efficiently than the current use of monitoring a patient’s vital signs. Joe Carney shared the history of the Big Red Barrel Project, which, in an effort to reduce prescription drug abuse, heroin use, and maintain a healthy environment, has set up permanent prescription drug collection units for community use. If you would like to learn more, or have Joe speak at one of your events, email him at jandkcarney71@gmail.com.
This was a fantastic kick-off event with a lot of audience interaction. These doctors offered to answer any additional questions from the audience if they would submit their questions to me via email rob@leadersconnect.com.
Our next Leaders Connect Breakfast will be on October 5th from 7 am – 9 am at Zingerman’s Roadhouse, with guest speaker Thomas Zurbuchen from NASA.