Reliance on other members of the health care team has increased to meet the growing demands of our society. Primary care physicians, however, have the unique education and training needed to coordinate care with specialty physicians and manage complicated, multiorgan-compromised conditions.
Meanwhile, the emerging patient-centered health care system will likely be more outreach directed, focusing not only on patients with appointments but also on others in the system.
12 Coordination of care will include patients who are empowered, educated, and more involved in their care. Operational changes, data management skills, and team leadership skills will be needed.
13 The health care system will have to reallocate resources to meet the needs for improved access, quality, and efficiency. As a result, the medical generalist of the future, the Phoenix Physician in our concept, will have to develop a new skill set to assume leadership of the health care team. These skills include the following: