Independent Physicians' Support Group to Launch in MI

The University of Michigan Health System and Physicians' Organization of Western Michigan have formed a new statewide group to help independent physicians improve access to resources, opportunities and support during the implementation of healthcare reform.

The new group—Physician Organization of Michigan—will recruit members from across the state when it becomes operational in January.

"We're very pleased to be able to expand and strengthen our abilities to support the independent practice of medicine through this relationship," says Randall Clark, MD, president of POM, an independent practice association which has 570 physician shareholders in western Michigan.

According to Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, MD, U-M executive vice president for medical affairs and CEO of UMHS, POM's aims to help independent physician members:

• Improve and measure quality of the care
• Monitor patients' health more effectively
• Reduce or contain the growth of healthcare costs
• Help physicians gain access to shared technology systems
• Help patients receive primary care in their communities
• Facilitate access to specialty care.
• Access continuing medical education for physicians