HRS: Building Credibility with Emerging EPs August 17, 2010
Posted by Craig Delaughter, MD, PhD in Education, EP Physicians.Tags: Emerging EPs, Practice management
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It is sometimes said that perception is reality. And once a certain perception is in place, it can take a great deal of effort to change it.
A few years ago the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) promoted an alternative certification pathway by which non-EP physicians would be encouraged to implant ICDs. It was believed that the seemingly infinite number of patients needing primary prevention ICDs, especially in underserved geographies, justified this measure. However, for many EP private practitioners, this was a clear indication of just how out of touch HRS was with one of its core constituencies. Feeling that their interests were not being represented, a few members “voted with their feet” and left the organization. Others, completing training during this time, never joined HRS. The alternative certification pathway was eventually closed and HRS was left to do some serious soul-searching about what had transpired.
I attended the Society’s Strategic Planning Summit in 2008 and received my first “behind the curtain” view into the association. I developed a new understanding of how the Society’s strategic goals are set and how its resources are deployed. Several new initiatives were identified as strategically important. Among these was a new focus on “Emerging EPs” – EPs that are within a year of completing their training or who are 3-4 years post fellowship. HRS knew these EPs needed a lot of help – even if the EPs weren’t aware of what they needed. But what could the Society provide them?
One response by HRS was to develop its Emerging Electrophysiologists: Transition to Practice program. The program’s second meeting was held earlier this month, co-chaired by Drs. Joshua M. Cooper and Rahul N. Doshi, and sponsored by Boston Scientific. Forty-seven EP fellows spent the weekend learning with, and from a faculty that was composed of two “generations” of EPs.
The first group of “emerging” EP MDs - Maninder S. Bedi, Phillip S. Cuculich, Frank Cuoco, Hemal M. Nayak and myself – discussed “The Process of Choosing,” “The Interview Process,” “Fighting for Resources,” and “Access to Patient Care in Your Geography.”
The palpable urgency from the emerging EPs was balanced by the perspective offered by a second group of “emerged” EP MDs – Joshua M. Cooper, Rahul N. Doshi, Ralph J. Verdino,, Rodney P. Horton, Leonard I. Ganz, F. Roosevelt Gilliam, III, and Sumeet K. Mainigi..Overall, I felt the program was well run and relevant to the challenges that I faced immediately before and after I had completed my training.
So, if I am an EP fellow nearing the end of my training, can I now view the Heart Rhythm Society as a long-term strategic partner? I think so. Personally, I believe this Transition to Practice program is part of a serious commitment to build credibility with the next generation of EPs. HRS knows that it needs to change how it is perceived, especially by EPs entering private practice. And, truth be told, those EPs need the Society more than ever before. Only HRS exclusively supports the interests of EP MDs, allied health professionals, basic scientists and fellows-in-training before lawmakers, payors and the public at large.
HRS, thanks for working on my behalf, and here’s to many more years of collaboration!
Editor’s Note: Learn more about Dr. Delaughter by visiting his Member Spotlight page on the Heart Rhythm Society’s website.
Heart Rhythm Society
Laurie Racenet, RN, MSN, ANP
Michael Giudici, MD, FACC, FACP, FHRS
Heather M. Ross, DNP, ANP-BC, CCDS, CEPS, FHRS
Anne Dubin, MD, FHRS
John D. Day, MD, FHRS
Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS
Joshua M. Cooper, MD, FACC
Amit J. Shanker, MD, FHRS, FACC
Bruce Stambler, MD
David Wiggins, RN, BS BME, CEPS
Fred M. Kusumoto, MD, FHRS
Leonard Ganz, MD, FHRS
christinechiuman
Craig Delaughter, MD, PhD
Ariana Del Negro, Heart Rhythm 2010 Quality
Peng-Sheng Chen, MD, FHRS
MSKremers MD,FHRS
Ann C. Garlitski, MD, FACC, FHRS
Alan Cheng, MD, FHRS
Ulrika Birgersdotter-Green, MD
Christopher Clyne, MD, FHRS
Kathleen Blake, MD, MPH, FHRS
David Scher, MD, FHRS
Sanjay Deshpande, MD, FHRS
The faculty of the meeting seems unbalanced with regards to disproportionate academic representation.
Did HRS indeed do soul-searching about the pathway or did you learn that they knew what they were doing when you got a glimpse from behind the curtains?
What about meetings for those in practice in their formative years?
I believe HRS’ increased interest in private practice EPS, especially those just completing training, is genuine. It is, after all, in their best interest to try to establish a good relationship with these EPs early in their careers and have them remain as dues-paying members for the the next 2-3 decades.
As for the alternative certification pathway, I can’t speak about why it was done initially – I simply didn’t have access at that time. But I am certain that if HRS had it to do over, there would be no alternative certification pathway now. The backlash from the EP community has been obvious and costly.
I agree that the Emerging EP faculty was predominantly academic, but the fact that there were several private practice EPs with a significant level of involvement is a real improvement. When has that ever happened before?
Lastly, you ask about programs for early career EPs – well, it has been discussed. In my opinon what needs to be available more than a weekend program is some new educational and marketing materials tailored for new practices. We know that you have several industry sponsored options in the “weekend program med/ed space” and frankly, HRS is a newcomer to that realm. We’ll see what happens. If you have ideas that you feel deserve to be explored, then contact me via the email below. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Editor’s Note: Please send all emails for Dr. Delaughter and other bloggers to epinsights@hrsonline.org. Thank you.