Episode 6: Tools of the Trade- Healthcare Economics

In this episode, Dr. Kristan Staudenmayer discusses the critical intersection of healthcare economics and trauma surgery. She emphasizes the need for surgeons to understand financial aspects to advocate effectively for their patients. The conversation explores the role of the Healthcare Economics Committee, the challenges posed by Relative value units (RVUs) in measuring surgical work, and the importance of building tools for advocacy in healthcare economics.

Takeaways

• Surgeons often lack training in healthcare economics.
• Understanding finance empowers better patient care.
• RVUs do not accurately reflect the work of acute care surgeons.
• Financial literacy is essential for effective advocacy.
• Value in healthcare is a complex and multifaceted concept.
• Billing practices need improvement among surgeons.
• The workload of trauma surgeons is often invisible to others.
• Advocacy tools are being developed for better communication with leadership.
• Research is needed to address workforce issues in acute care surgery.