In debate: should medical staff presidents be voting members of the hospital board. Yes

In summary, the hospital must demonstrate its willingness to create a new paradigm in physician-hospital relationships. One that is built on trust, mutual respect, and enhanced communications. Most important, the hospital needs to understand the medical staff's perspective, identify mechanisms to integrate clinical and organizational values, and recognized the medical staff's ability to contribute to the overall operations of the hospital through key decision-making roles. By establishing a new paradigm, the medical staff and the hospital++ can provide a full range of health services for the community. And, this collaborative effort will strengthen the ability of the hospital and the medical staff to better compete on the basis of quality, cost, and value.