BY: JUDY CASSIDY
Although they address many issues, the articles in this issue have a common aim: to increase communications — whether among physicians and healthcare organizations, among providers, or between the Catholic Health Association and its members. We believe the cross-pollination of ideas through open communications strengthens the ministry.
We want to help readers interact not only with each other but also with Health Progress. Thus the journal's website connections, our listing of contact persons at the end of articles, and our new "Putting Patients First" department (see below).
Partnering with Physicians
Communication is critical for physicians and healthcare organizations entering into a variety of relationships — the subject of this issue's special section. Wende L. Fox; P. Terrence O'Rourke, MD; Michael Collins, MD; and Kathryn Gooding explain current trends in these arrangements, including the reasons Catholic organizations can be attractive partners for physicians.
In an excerpt from CHA's new book, Linking Hospitals and Physicians: A Values-Based Guide to Legal Structures, authors Sr. Jean deBlois, CSJ, and Lisa J. Gilden explore ethical and legal considerations in one type of relationship — the direct employment model. Then Kevin Conlin describes the services of a new company that assists hospitals in forming partnerships with doctors.
Spirituality
A focus group of readers recently told us they would appreciate more information on the spiritual dimension of healthcare. Responding to this feedback, two articles, one by Frederic C. Craigie and the other by William J. Bazan and Daniel Dwyer, recommend ways to incorporate spirituality into healthcare organizations.
New Column
In the first of his regular Health Progress columns, Rev. Michael D. Place notes the need for a dialogue about the future of the Catholic health ministry and discusses CHA's role in facilitating the development of a shared vision for it.
With so many issues to examine together, please join us in using the many means available to keep information flowing.
This issue provides useful suggestions about spirituality. Please help us continue to examine spirituality by answering our "Putting Patients First" question. And it's not too late to respond to the question in our last issue: How does your organization facilitate the information flow among caregivers and their patients? We will publish your responses in the May-June issue. (Note: It is easy to send your response. Fax it to us or submit it through our website. Click on "Putting Patients First" in the table of contents and type in your answer.)