Oregon Medical Group Case Study: Cultivating a New Generation of Physician Leaders
Summary
Oregon Medical Group (OMG) recognized the need for a new generation of physician leaders to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape. The challenge was to develop leadership skills that extend beyond clinical excellence and to create a cohesive leadership team across various roles within the organization.
OMG, in collaboration with J3P Health, initiated a tailored leadership program for 24 participants. This program focused on individual and team development through assessments, coaching, interactive workshops, and practical application sessions, addressing the unique challenges and goals of OMG.
The program led to marked improvements in team functionality and individual leadership skills. Over 90% of participants reported substantial improvements in areas like leading change and influencing skills. The program's success was evident in the enhanced sense of team among physician leaders and the group's ability to navigate challenges effectively, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Approach
OMG faced the challenge of preparing its physicians for roles that required leadership skills distinct from their clinical training. The organization needed to develop a new type of physician leader capable of managing complex organizational dynamics and contributing positively to the group's culture and strategic direction.
Approach
The program was structured in four key phases:
Step 1: Collaborative vision and goal setting
The program started with a focus on engaging physicians to understand the organization's challenges and their personal leadership needs. This phase aimed to create a sense of ownership and alignment with OMG's vision by encouraging physicians to identify, explore, and understand the challenges facing the group. A number of key challenges were collectively identified:
Growth created complexity, especially the addition of multiple specialties
The market was complicated and competitive
New care delivery models, with an emphasis on quality and population health, mean physicians need to adapt to constant measurement of their performance
Standardization threatened some people’s sense of professional autonomy
Physician leaders may not have understood what’s expected of them in their respective roles
A sense of accountability was needed by every physician for group success
“We had a general vision of what we were hoping to accomplish. We knew the group’s challenges were new, and evolving, so we wanted an approach that aligned with those challenges. Most importantly we wanted it to start with a focus on the individual, while simultaneously creating a sense of team. What we found helpful, was J3P’s willingness to collaborate on the program design, and the flexibility to change direction, approach, and focus, based on our needs.”
Stacy Chance, M.D., Chief Medical Officer
Step 2: Personalized development tools
A crucial element was the use of the J3P Physician Success Assessment to foster self-awareness. This assessment, tailored for physicians, provided insights into personality traits and motivational attributes, critical for leadership development. The results were reviewed in confidential, one-on-one sessions with specialized physician coaches to explore how the results might affect performance.
Step 3: Interactive learning and team building
Participants attended workshops and group sessions covering leadership styles, communication skills, and conflict resolution. These sessions were designed to apply concepts to real-life challenges at OMG, enhancing team-learning and cohesion. Sessions included small and large group discussions, along with interactive exercises to help participants deploy new skills while collaborating.
Step 4: Coaching and sustainment
The program included regular coaching sessions for individual growth and collaborative leadership development. These sessions were critical for reinforcing learning and ensuring the application of new skills in daily practice.
Results
The program led to significant improvements in leadership and team dynamics at OMG:
Empowered Physician Leaders
The program enhanced the leadership skills of participating physicians, enabling them to lead more effectively and contribute to strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Enhanced Team Functionality
There was a 52% improvement in participants' perception of their colleagues' effectiveness in managing challenging management or leadership issues.
Individual Performance Growth
Over 90% of participants reported substantial improvement in key leadership areas, including conflict management and feedback-giving, and over 80% reported substantial improvement in skills like building effective relationships.
Positive Organizational Impact
The program's success contributed to OMG's ability to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic effectively, with physician leaders applying their new skills to support colleagues and staff.
The program at OMG demonstrates J3P Health's capability to develop impactful leadership programs tailored to the unique needs of healthcare organizations, fostering a new generation of physician leaders equipped to handle the complexities of modern healthcare.
The Road Ahead: Advancing Leadership and Organizational Culture
OMG's initiative underscores the importance of ongoing leadership development in healthcare. The success of this program highlights the need for continuous investment in leadership skills, not just for individual growth but for the overall health of the organization. With J3P Health's expertise, OMG is well-positioned to continue nurturing its leaders and shaping a culture that values effective leadership and collaboration.
“We could never have anticipated needing these skills to respond to a Pandemic, but the work ended up being an amazing resource for our physician leaders. They stepped up in ways I’d never imagined possible. We could see them applying their new skills, every day, to support their colleagues and the staff.”
Karen Weiner, M.D., MMM, CPE, Chief Executive Officer
