The remote practice network: new concept in health care delivery.

It is widely acknowledged that a trend toward greater competition is creating dramatic changes in the way that health care is provided in the United States. Physicians and hospitals, in particular, face a difficult period of adjustment as the nation's health care system increasingly turns toward the competitive model. Physicians, particularly those in leadership positions, must meet the challenge of competition by developing and implementing effective coping strategies. Medical directors and other physicians in key leadership and decision-making positions have a responsibility to their institutions, their patients, and indeed their own careers to recognize and understand the implications of current trends in health care delivery. This article discusses an innovative approach to competition in today's challenging health care marketplace.