Thomas Chiu, M.D., M.B.A., associate chair of the pediatrics department and Sandy Barata, administrative director of the pediatrics department, co-authored Training Residents for the Business of Medicine. The paper featured in the Medical Group Management Association’s 2005 Academic Practice Compensation and Production Survey for Faculty and Management.
The study describes medical economics, an elective course developed by Dr. Chiu and first offered on the University of Florida Jacksonville campus in 1997 as a two-week rotation in the pediatrics department.
“Most pediatric training programs – or other residency programs, for that matter – do not have a structured, official curriculum in medical economics,” said Dr. Chiu. “Through lectures and community rotations our residents gain experience and exposure to private practice and medicine’s business aspects, which empowers them to thrive professionally and deliver optimal patient care in today’s complex medical systems.”
MGMA, founded in 1926, is the nation’s principal voice for medical group practice. Its 19,500 members manage and lead more than 11,500 organizations in which more than 240,000 physicians practice.