AMA, APA Conduct Physician Practice Information Survey

For the first time in nearly a decade, APA and the AMA, and more than 70 other health care professional organizations, have worked together to coordinate a comprehensive multispecialty survey of America's physician practices. The survey will collect up-to-date characteristics of thousands of physician practices from virtually all specialties, and be used in efforts to positively influence national decision makers to ensure accurate and fair representation for all physicians and patients.

Getting the nation's policymakers to understand today's landscape and the requirements for care is critical. These data will allow medicine to articulate the challenges of running a practice that provides expert patient care while operating a business that is sustainable. The study results will not only help in the short term but will allow future generations of doctors to continue providing superior care to their patients.

One particularly important section of the study pertains to practice expenses and the amounts that are attributable to physicians. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has indicated that the results of this study will be used to help determine physician payment. Please encourage your staff to make this information available, as the survey's success depends on accurate and complete data. This information will remain confidential. The survey firm, Dmrkynetec, will not identify any individuals or entities participating in this research.

Dmrkynetec, a survey firm with extensive experience in the area of physician practice finance, has been retained to administer the survey. Dmrkynetec will contact randomly selected physicians and practice managers to collect their confidential responses. Please watch for this survey and complete it thoroughly and accurately. Do your part to represent our profession. ▪