Encore! EP391: A Case Study for Anyone Trying to Level Up Primary Care That I’m Gonna Call “How Margin Shoves Mission Off the Bus,” With Scott Conard, MD

Relentless Health Value™

Mission vs. Margin: Dr. Scott Conard's Journey in Transforming Primary Care

In this encore episode, Stacey Richter discusses the challenges and opportunities in primary care transformation with Dr. Scott Conard. The conversation explores the conflict between mission-driven healthcare and profitability, drawing from Dr. Conard's personal and professional experiences. Key topics include advanced primary care models, perverse incentives in the healthcare system, the impact of large health systems on local communities, and the complex dynamics of healthcare management. The episode illustrates the importance of leadership, systemic change, and balancing patient care with business imperatives.

To read the full article and show notes with links mentioned as well as a full transcript, click here.

Love the show? Please consider signing up for our weekly newsletter. We'll send you an article covering the latest episode with show notes, mentioned links and a transcribed intro. Join the RHV Tribe.

06:54 What triggered Scott’s career journey?

07:31 What caused Scott to rethink what is good primary care?

08:11 Why did Scott realize that he is actually a risk-management expert as a primary care doctor rather than someone who treats symptoms?

09:25 EP335 with Brian Klepper, PhD.

09:53 How did Scott’s practice change after this realization?

10:04 What is a “Whole-Person Risk Score”?

11:08 Scott’s book, The Seven Numbers (That Will Save Your Life).

13:05 “You start to move from a transactional model to a relationship model.”

15:31 Did Scott have any risk-based contracts?

16:08 Why is it so important to look at total cost of care and not just primary care cost?

21:08 Scott’s book, The Art of Medical Leadership.

22:13 EP381 with Karen Root.

30:43 Why did Scott move over to help corporations?

33:10 EP364 with David Muhlestein, PhD, JD.

33:51 “Everybody thought they were honoring their fiduciary responsibility, and the incentives are completely misaligned.”

34:31 EP384 with Wendell Potter.

34:43 “It’s the system that’s broken; it’s not bad people.”