The Exec: 3 Ways to Innovate in Emergency Medicine

Innovation in emergency medicine includes creating new clinical care pathways and extending the reach of emergency care into rural areas, this emergency medicine leader says.

The new leader of emergency medicine at OU College of Medicine and OU Health is planning to help drive emergency medicine innovation at the college and health system.

Azeemuddin Ahmed, MD, MBA, became chair of the newly established Department of Emergency Medicine at OU College of Medicine and clinical service chief of emergency medicine at OU Health in August. Ahmed's previous leadership experience includes serving as executive vice chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.

The primary element of innovation in emergency medicine includes pursuing changes that will make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of patients, according to Ahmed.

"This includes life-saving interventions that change the trajectory of patients in a positive way," Ahmed says. "You need to provide the most up-to-date and cutting-edge care in areas such as traumatic injuries, cardiovascular illnesses, stroke, sepsis, and mental health emergencies."

Innovation in emergency medicine includes improving the value of care, Ahmed explains.

"We know that healthcare requires a complex delivery system, and we need to look for ways to deliver the best care while generating value for the patient and the organization," Ahmed says.

Innovation in emergency medicine includes creating new clinical care pathways, improving how a health system or hospital delivers emergency care, making care better and safer, and extending the reach of emergency care into rural areas, according to Ahmed.

Ahmed plans to focus on three areas to help drive emergency medicine innovation at OU Health.

"First, I can help drive innovation in emergency medicine by understanding and aligning with the priorities of the organization," Ahmed says. "Second, I need to set a culture and tone within my department that ensures we are not only doing day-to-day work, but we also have a sightline and vision of the future. Third, I need to help recruit the faculty and other caregivers who have expertise in emergency medicine and an interest in innovation."

To succeed in driving innovation at OU Health as well as function as an effective leader of emergency medicine, Ahmed says he is going to have to work closely with OU Health's CMO Carolyn Kloek and Chief Physician Executive Ian Dunn.

"They are excited about academic emergency medicine at the college of medicine and OU Health," Ahmed says. "I have met with them regularly to understand their vision and priorities for the organization."

Ahmed is committed to establishing a close and communicative relationship with Kloek and Dunn.

"Emergency medicine is the front door of a health system," Ahmed says. "It is the clinical service line that has the most touch points in a health system. As the leader of emergency medicine at OU Health, I must have a strong working relationship with these leaders."

Azeemuddin Ahmed, MD, MBA, is chair of the newly established Department of Emergency Medicine at OU College of Medicine and clinical service chief of emergency medicine at OU Health. Photo courtesy of OU Health.

Direct employment of emergency medicine physicians

OU Health recently transitioned to direct employment of emergency medicine physicians, and this employment model has several benefits, according to Ahmed, including strong alignment between the physicians and the priorities, mission, vision, and values of the organization.

"In other employment models such as contracting physicians from other organizations, there can be competing priorities," Ahmed says. "With the direct employment model, there is strong alignment, which includes effective communication, shared values and mission, and a sense of belonging."

The sense of belonging among directly employed emergency medicine physicians should not be underestimated, Ahmed explains. With direct employment, emergency medicine physicians are considered part of the organization.

"That sense of belonging accentuates and accelerates the kind of work that we want to do," Ahmed says. "We are all part of one health system, and that is a key factor in the development of our academic department of emergency medicine."

Training emergency medicine physicians

Ahmed, who has more than 20 years of experience in training emergency medicine physicians, explains that effective training programs start with recruiting the right type of trainees.

"It all starts with selecting and recruiting the ideal trainee, who is hard-working, kind, humanistic, and committed to learning and being the best that they can be," Ahmed says.

Next, it is important to surround trainees with faculty who are top-of-the-line and committed to the training of physicians, create an environment that is conducive to learning, and secure the resources to support education, according to Ahmed.

Creating an environment that is conducive to learning is multifactorial, Ahmed explains.

In addition to finding the right kind of trainees and faculty, it is essential to have a physical learning environment that can support training. Ahmed says OU Health is equipped to provide this kind of support, with excellent facilities, access to new technologies, and a commitment to a robust training program. Finally, trainees need to be involved in providing high quality care for patients under the supervision of faculty and attending physicians, Ahmed says.

"As we start developing our emergency medicine residency program, OU Health has all of the resources and the experience needed to have a top-flight residency program," Ahmed says. "My expectation is that our residency program will be the flagship program for the state of Oklahoma."