Problem: An internal medicine practice at Morehouse School of Medicine finds that it can reduce costs by eliminating appointments. The practice is able to eliminate some telephone staff, and physicians become more productive.
The model of the practice is that patients wait until the physician is available, so the physician has virtually no down time.
Q1. Does this analysis adopt a societal view of costs?
Q2. Why might this analysis result in a bad managerial decision?
Q3. How does this practice model align with Osler's 3 key points for a successful practice?