10-Month Program Trains Clinical Providers on Management Skills to Improve Health Outcomes
LOS ANGELES – Most physicians and other clinical providers receive little or no management training in medical school or on-the-job training. Yet, researchers believe management skills are critical for positive health outcomes. L.A. Care Health Plan is committing $150,000 to address this issue, and this week is kicking off its 2024 Physician Leadership Program, which will equip participants with practical leadership and management skills necessary to create transformational change within their health centers and ultimately improve equitable patient care and health outcomes.
“Since L.A. Care launched this program in 2016, we have worked to give providers who are exploring leadership roles, and those already in those roles, the skills needed to deal with real-world challenges and opportunities in the safety net clinics where they work,” said Sameer Amin, MD, L.A. Care Chief Medical Officer. “This program educates clinical providers about leading a team and delegating responsibilities. We believe those skills will help them deliver the high quality care we want for our members.”
Fifteen providers have been selected to participate in this 10-month program, which consists of 12 virtual seminars, individualized coaching, and development of a leadership project. The program aims to support providers by helping them to:
• Leverage insight on their leadership styles to increase their impact and effectiveness
• Manage conflict, delegate, and use data to drive innovation
• Build supportive relationships with fellow L.A. County clinical leaders
• Engage with senior leaders within L.A. Care and L.A. County health clinics
L.A. Care has contracted with the Center for Health Care Strategies to work with clinical providers who are serving under-resourced communities in Los Angeles County. These providers serve marginalized L.A. Care members with complex needs – those struggling with homelessness, trauma from incarceration, poverty, and mental health issues.
This year’s cohort, the seventh since the program launched, includes nine physicians, four nurse practitioners, a physician assistant and a pharmacist.
This unique leadership program aligns with L.A. Care’s commitment to advance health equity, which means everyone has the fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.