A physician productivity system that works.

Too often, physician productivity becomes a contentious issue for medical practices. This article describes a system in which physician financial and lifestyle goals provide the impetus for setting and achieving meaningful productivity benchmarks. Although the system is developed from the physician's subjective goals, the structure is highly quantified. This enables physicians and administrators to model and assess the financial impact of alternative assumptions and scenarios. Through this modeling, targets can be set that best serve the needs of both the physicians and the practice. Because the system also provides for ongoing feedback and process improvement, this physician productivity plan can become a driving force for positive change throughout the practice.