Neil H. Baum, MD

Neil H. Baum, MD

Tulane University School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical School, Vanguard Communications Group

New Orleans, Louisiana

Neil H. Baum, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a retired urologic surgeon. Additionally, Dr. Baum serves as the Medical Advisor to Vanguard Communications Group. Dr. Baum is the author of Marketing Your Clinical Practice - Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which is in its 4th edition, has sold over 175,000 copies, and has been translated into Spanish. He also wrote The Complete Business Guide to a Successful Medical Practice, which was published in 2015. Dr. Baum was the columnist for American Medical News for more than 25 years. Dr. Baum also wrote the popular column, “The Bottom Line,” for Urology Times for more than 20 years. He is a requested speaker each year to the Practice Management Seminar for the American Urological Association (AUA), where he discusses techniques for making urology practices more efficient and more productive. He has written more than 9 books on practice management and over 250 peer-reviewed articles on various urologic topics. Dr. Baum is also the medical advisor to Vanguard Communications Group.

Disclosures:

Talks by Neil H. Baum, MD

Outcomes Measurements: The Road from Volume to Value

Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, discusses the shifting paradigm in healthcare from the volume of services provided to the value of services. He describes outcome management, how to get started, and challenges to this approach. This client-centric approach to healthcare delivery redefines value to equal health outcomes that matter to the patient divided by cost. To implement this approach, Dr. Baum advises starting with conditions that have quantifiable measures such as radical prostatectomy, BPH, or ureteral stones. Outcomes have historically been measured by mortality, morbidity, readmission rate, and length of stay, but the new standard will consider patient satisfaction, which can be measured by looking at the length of time it took to for the patient to make an appointment, time spent waiting in the exam room, whether their questions were answered, and if they received a follow-up on test results. He notes that AUA guidelines can also provide a rubric for outcomes that are important to both the physician and the patient. Dr. Baum underscores that patients who have a positive experience have better clinical outcomes and improved quality of life. Similarly, outcome management is proactive and promotes innovation with the goal of improving care.

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Managing Inappropriate Patient Requests

Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, discusses how to manage inappropriate patient requests. He provides examples of common requests, reasons for saying ‘no,’ and how to maintain a positive doctor/patient relationship while doing so. Example scenarios include requests to add on extra days to a work exemption, inappropriate prescription medication, unnecessary procedures, requests for the medical records of an aging parent, and asking to remain in the office after an appointment has ended. Dr. Baum recommends proposing alternative solutions to the request and offering to reassess later if necessary. He advises doctors to gain their patients’ buy-in by involving them in the solution and asking them to agree to the plan. Additionally, reminding patients of a doctor’s ethical obligation against lying, violating HIPAA, or providing unsuitable care can help them understand the decision. It is important to document such requests in the patient’s file along with an explanation of the steps taken to address the reasons for the request.

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Building Your Urologic Castle: Barriers to Exit (Part 2 of 2)

In the second part of this two-part series, Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, gives suggestions on how urologists who have already successfully attracted patients by removing barriers to entry can then keep those patients in their practice by building barriers to exit. He explains that the goal is for each patient to have a stellar experience and then share their feedback with others. Dr. Baum emphasizes the importance of a robust, regularly updated website and active social media pages. He also highlights the importance of practice accessibility, from having online scheduling and communication via email and text, to having same-day appointments available, keeping office wait times as short as possible, and supplying accessible, validated parking. He suggests that doctors call patients at home after they have had a procedure, both to demonstrate care and to reduce incoming calls from patients. Dr. Baum also notes the importance of having transparent pricing and insurance assistance, and of providing translators for patients who do not speak English. He concludes by encouraging urologists to make their USP (unique service proposition) visible and obvious to patients, by noting that there are riches in the niches, and by reiterating the importance of eliminating negative barriers and fortifying positive ones in a medical practice.

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Building Your Urologic Castle: Barriers to Entry (Part 1 of 2)

Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, discusses barriers to potential patients coming to a urologic practice. He suggests ensuring patients have a good initial contact with the receptionist, keeping appointment slots open for emergencies, and being transparent with finances on the practice website. Dr. Baum also suggests having between four- and five-star ratings online, obvious signage to get to the clinic, convenient parking, making the practice handicap-accessible, and having a welcoming reception area and clean bathrooms. He recommends making sure all patients’ questions have been answered at the end of an appointment, returning all calls and emails within 24 hours, and having the option of scheduling appointments online. In summary, he encourages making it easy for a patient to enter a practice.

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Improving Your Urology Practice: Addressing Financial Toxicity

Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana, discusses financial toxicity and how urologists can help their patients navigate the stress associated with medical expenses. An estimated 40% of newly-diagnosed cancer patients will deplete their assets within two years after diagnosis. The compounding stress over direct and indirect costs of cancer treatment can ultimately lead to financial toxicity. Patients at higher risk of financial toxicity include those with advanced stage cancer, minorities, low-income patients, and patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy, among others. Similarly, other factors in a patient’s life, such as whether cancer will impact their ability to continue working, whether they are the primary breadwinner, and their level of health insurance coverage, can increase financial stress. Dr. Baum advises urologists to ask their patients if the costs will be a burden and direct them to a financial navigator, such as a hospital social worker. Urologists can also help patients by offering pricing transparency, connecting them to cancer support groups, and even asking pharmaceutical companies for reduced cost medications.

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