Creating sustainable physician-IDS relationships

IDSs that have faced financial difficulties as a result of owning physician practices need to assess whether employing physicians remains the best way to maintain effective relationships with the physicians. IDSs should evaluate each owned physician practice individually, asking a series of specific questions. First the IDSs should assess the value of the physician practice to the organization to determine whether a future relationship is desirable. If so, the IDS should determine whether the relationship needs to be formally established. If the relationship is likely to remain productive whether or not it is formal, the IDS should consider divesting the practice. If, however, a formal business relationship is required, the IDS needs to decide whether employment is preferable to an alternative approach, such as involving physicians in joint ventures or equity relationships.