Relative value unit-based compensation incentivization in an academic vascular practice improves productivity with no early adverse impact on quality

Abstract

Revenue-improving measures can improve sustainability of a vascular program without negatively affecting patient care as evidenced by the lack of difference in evidence-based core outcome measures in our study period. Further studies are needed to elucidate the long-term effects of incentivization programs on both patient care and program viability.

Rebranding “The Lab Years” as “Professional Development” in Order to Redefine the Modern Surgeon Scientist

“…This trend is compounded by steadily decreasing federal funding for surgeon scientists and shifts to productivity-based compensation models which result in increased pressure to produce work relative value units. 2–4 Furthermore, to expedite training and address a workforce shortage, new surgical training models including integrated vascular surgery, integrated thoracic surgery, integrated plastic surgery, and general surgery with early specialization options commonly eliminate dedicated and protected time for research. Expedited surgical training adds the temptation of increased income potential in the form of faster time to practice from medical school which is understandably pursued by medical students in the current climate of soaring costs for medical education.…”

Plastic Surgeon Financial Compensation–Incentivization Models in Surgical Care Delivery: The Past, Present, and Future

“…12 Previous studies have shown that their use correlates with patients seen (i.e., throughput), overall revenue, improved clinical outcomes, and concomitant decreases in health care delivery costs. [13][14][15][16] Critics of their use argue that this system correlates poorly with surgical effort/complexity, incentivizes a competitive culture among surgeons, eliminates predictability, and incentivizes the overuse of procedures. 17 Furthermore, relevant to hospital-or academic-based plastic surgeons, some aesthetic procedures do not have associated relative value units, making the quantification of productivity difficult for these procedures.…”

Plastic Surgery Compensation Models and Patient Outcomes

“…2,3 There was a significant increase in number of cases for otolaryngology procedures. 3 Generalizations from these studies are limited due to short follow-up times 2 and restriction of analysis to only outpatient procedures. 3 There is a dearth of similar investigations in plastic surgery.…”