Our Annual Industry Survey: The Challenge to Collaborate

Internal imperatives
Perhaps ACOs can help reduce some of the tension that exists between payers and providers. But providers still have some challenges within their own ranks that suggest a need for greater collaboration.

We asked both physician leaders and nurse leaders to assess how pervasive physician abuse or disrespect of nurses is at their organization. There is a clear disconnect in their perceptions. While just 13% of physician leaders say those conditions are common, more than three times that number—42%—of nurse leaders see it that way.

We explore that disconnect in our Physician Leader and Nurse Leader reports, but comments offered by respondents provide some additional insight.

A physician leader who says physician abuse or disrespect of nurses is uncommon offers this: "It's the other way around. Nurses don't respect the physicians."

One nurse leader who says disrespect is common notes that leadership can do only so much, and that the nurses must be more willing to speak up. "While we have a robust disruptive physician policy and follow-up, actions require knowledge of events, nursing remains hesitant to report, as do other disciplines."