Guests: Dr. Susan Sirota & Mary Ellen Harris
Summary:
1. **Webinar Introduction**: The discussion involved Chip Hart, Dr. Susan Sirota, and Mary Ellen Harris focusing on the business impact of COVID-19 on pediatric practices and addressing follow-up items and questions from the previous webinar.
2. **Key Issues Identified**: The panel emphasized the need for practices to make decisions in an uncertain future and urged practices to focus on controllable aspects, like financial management and staff coordination.
3. **Financial Management**: Practices should perform a quick assessment of their financial situation, including cash in hand, upcoming payments, and potential credit options. A suggested cash flow calculator was provided.
4. **Telemedicine**: The panel highlighted the need for practices to adopt telemedicine immediately and discussed some of the challenges and strategies to implement it effectively.
5. **Data Analysis**: Chip Hart presented data showing significant declines in patient visits and revenue since the onset of the pandemic, with a notable increase in telehealth visits.
6. **Federal Response**: The panel mentioned expected congressional stimulus packages, including direct cash assistance to families, unemployment benefits, and financial support for businesses through SBA disaster loans.
7. **Human Resources**: Mary Ellen Heller Harris provided insights on managing staff during the pandemic, including the difference between furlough and layoffs, managing new hires, and maintaining staff morale.
8. **Governance and Decision Making**: Dr. Sirota emphasized the importance of clear governance structures and decision-making processes in practices to navigate the crisis effectively.
9. **Future Projections**: The panel discussed that practices should prepare for a surge in well-visit appointments once the pandemic peaks and begin scheduling these appointments proactively.
10. **Resources and Community Support**: The forum at PediatricSupport.com was suggested as a place for ongoing support and sharing reliable information. The importance of leadership, communication, and remaining flexible was underscored as essential for weathering the crisis.