Credentialing Resource Center Connection

As one of the six general competencies, communication is an important skill exercised along with a practitioner’s privileges. But not all practitioners are as skilled as they should be. A recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine compares what cardiologists understand the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to be with the benefits the patients believe they’re receiving. The study indicates that the practitioner’s beliefs typically align with scientific research, and patients believe they received more benefits from PCI than they actually did. In this instance, the researchers recommend that practitioners spend more time explaining the benefits of PCI to patients.

These research findings highlight the problems created when a disconnect exists between practitioners and patients in multiple care settings, not just those receiving PCI, according to a September 7, Boston Globe article.

Most people know they can turn to Consumer Reports to find out which automobile may keep them safe, but now the publication is rating practitioners, too. Earlier this week, Consumer Reports started ranking surgical groups, assigning star ratings based on below average, average, or above average care.

Although it might be a while before credentialing specialists start querying Consumer Reports to gather competency data, patients may begin using the data immediately.

Note: This week’s Q & A was answered by Cheryl Gross, MA, CAE, director of the Division of Certification at the AOA. More information about the AOA’s OCC is available in the October issue of Briefings on Credentialing. www.CredentialingResourceCenter.com.