Control and support: what physicians want from hospitals

It has been asserted that physicians hold the key to success in hospital efforts to increase admissions and contain costs. While there is a great need to forge a partnership with the medical staff in achieving mutual goals, little is known about what physicians want from hospitals. A survey was completed by 177 physicians in two Cleveland-area hospitals that assessed their preferences on issues concerning hospital governance and control, hospital services, and hospital employment of physicians. Results showed that physicians want greater involvement in hospital decision making and desire services that facilitate their practice of medicine. Responses varied significantly according to physician age, specialty, HMO participation, and multiple-staff membership. Greater effort on the part of hospital administrators to assess and understand medical staff needs is suggested.