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I am currently in discussion with my Director of Operations about instituting an incentive bouns program for our staff (Physical Rehabilitation Therapists and assistants). The boss/corporation feels that incentive bonuses in healthcare are unethical because they encourage fradulent behavior (i.e. you're more productive, providing more service for no other reason than the bonus). I'm struggling a bit with this. We certainly have productivity goals and benchmarks to meet. I can't reconcile how a corporation can institute goals such as these but not be able to reward achievement.

Thoughts or comments appreciated.
Thanks

Mark's picture
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Lots of my healthcare clients have performance bonuses.

On the other hand, they're carefully crafted and include quality standards, and usually insure that the data collection of volume and quality are not to be influenced by the person providing the service.

Mark

WillDuke's picture
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Sounds like you're wrestling with success=money. Money is so easy, it's what we all jump to. I'd be happier if I made more money. My business would be more successful if it made more money. I'd be more successful if I was paid a bigger salary.

Exactly what do you want to improve? There's no reason to pay incentives for "expected" behavior, that's paid for by salary.

If you want to improve patient care, how do you measure good patient care?

Can you measure a reduction of errors?
Can you measure patient satisfaction?
Can you measure treatment success?

Compare an industry standard to something you want to excel in. Pay incentives (with cash or something else) for improving on that standard!