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The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and AMA Conducting Physician Practice Information Survey
For the first time in nearly a decade, the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), the American Medical Association (AMA), and more than 70 other health-care professional organizations have worked together to coordinate a comprehensive, multispecialty survey of America’s physician practices. The survey will collect up-to-date characteristics of thousands of physician practices from virtually all specialties. It also will be used in efforts to positively influence national decision makers to ensure accurate and fair representation for all physicians and patients.
Getting our nation’s policymakers to understand today’s landscape and the requirements for care is critical. The survey data will allow physicians to articulate the challenges of running a practice that provides expert patient care while operating a business that is sustainable. The study results will not only help in the short-term, but also allow future generations of doctors to continue providing superior care for their patients.
One particularly important section of the study pertains to practice expenses and the amounts that are attributable to you. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services indicated that the results of this study will be used to help determine physician payment. Please encourage your staff to make this information available, as the survey’s success depends on accurate and complete data. This information will remain confidential. The survey firm, Dmrkynetec, will not identify any individuals or entities participating in this research.
Dmrkynetec, a survey firm with extensive experience in the area of physician practice finance, has been retained to administer the survey. Dmrkynetec will contact randomly selected physicians and practice managers in order to collect their confidential responses. Please watch for this survey and complete it thoroughly and accurately. Do your part to represent our profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Physician Practice Information (PPI) survey?
The PPI survey is a national effort aimed at collecting up-to-date information on physician practice characteristics in order to positively influence national decision makers while further developing and refining AMA and ACCP policy. Practice data used by Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are nearly 1 decade old for most specialties and must be updated to reflect current experience. The PPI survey will provide policymakers with current, accurate data across specialty and practice types so that they can make more informed, evidence-based decisions.
Why should I participate in this study?
This study represents your practice’s opportunity to communicate accurate financial and operational information to policymakers, including members of Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Your participation in this study will ensure that the voice and priorities of your medical specialty are clearly heard.
What type of information is being collected?
The PPI survey is focused on collecting information on practice characteristics and provider hours worked. The survey also seeks to quantify common professional expenses associated with medical practice (during 2006), participation in Medicare, and common characteristics of managed care plans. Current topics of national interest are also explored, such as medical malpractice coverage and the use of electronic medical records.
Which organizations endorse the study?
The ACCP and the AMA, along with 70 other medical specialty organizations, have provided financial support and endorsement for this 2008 PPI survey.
Who is conducting the study?
The organizations endorsing the PPI study have contracted with the survey firm, Dmrkynetec, to collect the data on their behalf. Dmrkynetec is an independent, recognized research and consulting firm with significant experience in collecting medical practice information.
Why was I chosen?
You were randomly selected, as part of a statistically controlled sample, to represent thousands of other providers in your specialty and region of the country. Your participation is critical to ensure that the information collected is representative of providers in all types of practice situations.
How long will this survey take?
There are two components associated with the PPI survey; one is to be completed by the provider and the other completed by the practice’s manager/administrator. Advance materials include worksheets to help efficiently organize the information. Once these worksheets are filled out, each component of the survey takes approximately 15 min to complete by phone or the Internet.
Are my responses confidential?
Dmrkynetec adheres to strict confidentiality guidelines. All information that would permit identification of any participant will be regarded as strictly confidential. Such information will be used only for purposes of the study and will not be disclosed or released for any other purposes without prior consent, except as required by law.
Where can I see results of the study?
Results of the final study may be published in AMNews, JAMA, Journal of Health Economics, and a wide variety of other professional journals. In addition, practices participating in the 2008 PPI survey will receive a special data summary document containing highlights of study results. This summary document will only be available to PPI participants.
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