Fundamentals of service lines and the necessity of physician leaders

In the demanding and unpredictable environment of the health care industry, hospitals and health systems continue to search for ways to improve the efficiency and quality of care provision and, thus, thrive. Service line organization in health care, a concept that was popularized in the past, has recently experienced a resurgence, spanning the gamut from small community hospitals to large academic medical centers. The modern service line has transformed into an organizational tool that provides hospitals and health systems with a novel approach to achieve the goals of efficient and effective care. Physician leaders can play an integral role in the management of service lines, using a combination of management skills and clinical expertise to provide the oversight and direction necessary for assuring excellence in clinical care and value in its delivery. This article presents an overview of service line structure, implementation, implications, and the role of the physician-leader.