CASE STUDY Riverbend Orthopedics is a busy group practice with expanded services for orthopedic care. It has seven physicians and a podiatrist, plus about 70 other employees. At its big, new clinic building, Riverbend provides extensive orthopedic care. Several technicians provide diagnostic medical imaging, from basic X-rays to magnetic resonance images. The physicians perform surgery in their own outpatient surgery center with Riverbends own operating nurses and technicians. Therapy is provided by three physical therapists and one part-time contracted occupational therapist. In addition to staff providing actual patient care, the clinic has staff for fi nancial management, medical records, human resources, information systems/technology, building maintenance, and other administrative matters. Occasional marketing work is done by an advertising company. Legal work is outsourced to a law fi rm. Riverbend is managed by a new president, Ms. Garcia. She and Riverbend have set a goal of achieving Excellent ratings for patient experience from at least 90 percent of Riverbends patients this year. Riverbends physicians are not fully aware of the external environment and how it affects their group practice. Dr. Chen wonders how he can analyze the external environment to understand how it might affect Riverbend. Dr. Barr wonders what population health and continuum of care are and how they matter to Riverbend.

case stuDy QuestIons

1. Using information from this book, how would you answer Dr. Chen?

2. Using information from this book, how would you answer Dr. Barr?