This episode features Dr. Brent Staton, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Cumberland Center for Healthcare Innovation. Here, he discusses the evolution of his career, how he is able to use his business acumen in the healthcare field in order to effectively keep primary care offices open, the challenges surrounding the shortage of residency positions, and more.
Summary
Dr. Brent Staton on Using Business Acumen for Primary Care and Residency Shortages
Dr. Brent Staton: Career Evolution
Dr. Brent Staton is a physician who founded the Cumberland Center for Healthcare Innovation, an accountable care organization located in central Tennessee. Despite growing up in business and obtaining a business degree, he ultimately decided to pursue medicine, completing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology. However, a medical issue prevented him from continuing with surgery. Instead, with the help of two family medicine mentors, he turned to rural medicine, and eventually founded the Cumberland Center.
Value-Based Care and Solving the Physician Shortage
Dr. Staton's interest in value-based care began in 2004, and the Cumberland Center has since saved 85-90 million dollars over the past 10 years. He believes that the solution to the physician shortage issue lies in creating a healthcare system that is focused on physicians and patients, rather than insurance plans and hospitals. While he recognizes the potential of telemedicine in reducing some problems, he cautions against overreliance, and emphasizes the importance of deep and broad medical education for successful practice.
Challenges in Residency and Telemedicine
Dr. Staton highlights the need for more residency spots to address the short supply of physicians due to an aging population of 330 million people. While there is potential in telemedicine, he also recognizes its limitations and advocates for caution. Recent situations with elderly parents have revealed the dissatisfaction and negative impacts of telemedicine visits. He calls for government funding for residency spots and infrastructure for the benefit of the economy, patients, and communities.
Cumberland Center's Focus on Providing Quality Care
Dr. Staton emphasizes the importance of providing quality care by maintaining close contact with patients. As the Cumberland Center continues to expand its work and search for doctors who share their values, they remain committed to providing healthcare options to individuals who may have difficulty accessing care.
Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com
This episode aired on 09/07/2022 and can be listened here.
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