The American Medical Association (AMA) voted at its Annual Meeting to adopt policy to define physician-led team-based healthcare as “the consistent use by a physician of the leadership knowledge, skills and expertise necessary to identify, engage and elicit from each team member the unique set of training, experience and qualifications needed to help patients achieve their goals, and to supervise the application of these skills.”
The definition and list of elements to consider when developing team-based care models were part of a report developed by the AMA's Council on Medical Services aligns with the AMA's Enhancing Sustainability and Satisfaction strategic focus area, which supports the adoption of innovative care models to improve the quality of care and reduce health care costs.
“Teamwork in a health care setting between physicians and non-physician practitioners is important as the medical community works to better coordinate care to ensure patients get the best possible care,” said AMA President Ardis D. Hoven, MD. “The policy passed today will help physicians transition to new care models by promoting flexibility to develop practice designs based on physician needs, the populations they serve, relevant state laws, and protection from the burdens that would come from a one-size-fits-all approach.”
The report also highlights areas for physicians to consider as they work to build team-based models that fit their practice needs, such as clinical roles and responsibilities and practice management.
AMA believes that the ultimate responsibility of patient medical care rests with the physician and thus advocates that physicians maintain authority for patient care in any team-care arrangement to ensure patient safety and quality. This report affirms that policy, moving toward physician-led, coordinated care models.
