Physicians are facing pressures from all directions, and Chase Collins, BSN, RN, said he is worried about how it might damage the art of practicing medicine.
Mr. Collins has been the director of neuroservices at Bon Secours Mercy Health Center in Springfield, Ohio, since 2022. He started his career as an emergency department nurse before moving into leadership.
"I am fascinated with continuous improvement and energized by innovation and positive patient outcomes," he told Becker's.
Here, he discusses his concerns regarding the field and leadership advice.
Question: What's the greatest challenge facing physicians right now?
Chase Collins: I believe the greatest challenge is the ongoing threat to physician autonomy. The pressures applied by expanding regulations, the massive imbalance of power toward the payers, the reliance on government-funded programs and the ongoing experiment of value-based care has killed the entrepreneurial spirit and in many ways the art of practicing medicine for the physician.
Q: What concerns you most about the healthcare field?
CC: My greatest concern is the workforce deficit we are facing as a country. I believe we will need to continue to innovate how and where healthcare is delivered to the consumer. The COVID-19 pandemic expedited the growth of some alternative care delivery models, but I think we will need to continue to look for ways to extend providers, offer services in nontraditional ways and focus on targeted prevention strategies to lessen the burden on the traditional healthcare system.
Q: What's the best leadership advice you've received?
CC: The best leadership advice I've ever received is to always stay curious. There is always something new to learn. This can be applied to situations where there is conflict. It can be applied when approaching difficult decisions. It can be applied when developing relationships. It can be applied during strategic planning. Staying curious means that you are never afraid to ask questions, to seek answers, to listen to advice and to seek to better understand, and to do so with humility and intention. I think this is a good recipe for great leadership.