The top topics discussed at the HealthLeaders CMO Exchange included adoption of artificial intelligence tools in clinical care, policy management and CMS reporting, and physician wellness.
HealthLeaders convened more than two dozen CMOs and chief clinical officers last week for the annual CMO Exchange.
Key takeaways from the CMO Exchange include adoption trends for artificial intelligence tools in clinical care, advice for policy management and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reporting, and successful strategies for reducing physician burnout.
Adoption of AI tools in clinical care
Adoption of AI-powered ambient listening tools to record interactions between clinicians and patients then generating a clinical documentation note is the most common AI tool in clinical care, according to CMO Exchange participants. AI-powered ambient listening tools are becoming an essential capability, with many physicians making the use of these tools a requirement to join a health system's or hospital's staff.
While AI-powered ambient listening tools are the most common form of AI tools in clinical settings, health systems and hospitals are branching out to adopt new AI tools in other clinical areas, CMO Exchange participants said.
One health system has deployed an AI tool to boost patient throughput in the inpatient setting. The AI tool looks at factors that influence a patient's schedule for discharge, then estimates discharge date and time.
Another example of a relatively new application for AI in the clinical setting is an AI tool that helps a health system detect medication diversion. The AI tool monitors how nurses are using the health system's Pyxis automated medication dispensing devices and gives supervisors an idea of where there might be a problem with medication diversion.
Policy management and CMS reporting
CMOs and other top clinical leaders should work to have a common understanding with their physicians on policy issues to dispel policy misinformation that spreads on the Internet, the CMO Exchange participants explained. Clinical leaders should also seek to reach a common understanding about policy changes established by the Trump administration.
Avoiding mass communication about policy changes with patients is an effective strategy, according to the participants. Health systems and hospitals should seize opportunities to have one-on-one discussions with patients about policy changes.
Health systems and hospitals should have clear policies for advanced practice provider (APP) credentialing. Clinical leaders should consider having an APP credentialing subcommittee, the participants said.
Health systems and hospitals should consider hiring a chief quality officer or vice president of quality who can focus on CMS reporting requirements. Many clinical leaders take a reactive approach to CMS reporting.
Addressing physician burnout
One of the features of this year's CMO Exchange was a presentation on addressing physician wellness by Jane Fogg, MD, MPH, director of organizational transformation, and professional satisfaction at the American Medical Association.
Although physician burnout peaked at 62.8% in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic, it has been decreasing in recent years, according to Fogg. Factors that may be driving the reduction in physician burnout include increasing awareness of the impact of physician burnout out on health outcomes, publications on physician wellness rising dramatically, health systems investing significantly in physician retention strategies to combat workforce shortages, and increased sharing among health systems on best practices, Fogg said.
To address wellness at physician-practice level, CMOs should focus on continuous improvement embedded throughout a practice, attention to leadership and culture, and working in partnership with physicians, Fogg explained.
There are five primary ways CMOs can support physician well-being, according to Fogg.
- Empowering local work units to implement solutions for workplace inefficiency
- Engaging physicians such as involving them in improving operations at a physician practice with bidirectional communication and involving them in improving the practice
- Leading as dyads or triads to foster partnerships across clinicians and administrators to leverage their expertise and shared ownership
- Embracing systemic solutions such as improving management of in-basket messages to physicians in the electronic medical record, reducing barriers such as prior authorizations, or implementing documentation support
- Practicing "wellness centered leadership" that treats all staff members with respect, transparently shares what leaders know about wellness and burnout, solicits input, nurtures and supports professional development, and expresses appreciation and gratitude.
The HealthLeaders Exchange is an exclusive, executive community for sharing ideas, solutions, and insights.
To find out more about the HealthLeaders Exchange program, visit the program’s webpage or the program’s LinkedIn page. To inquire about attending a HealthLeaders Exchange event and becoming a member, email us at exchange@healthleadersmedia.com.
Christopher Cheney is the CMO editor at HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
AI-powered ambient listening tools that record encounters between clinicians and patients then generate a clinical documentation note have become ubiquitous.
CMOs should establish a common understanding with physicians about policy changes.
CMOs can play a leading role in boosting physician wellness.