Staffing Structure for the Joel Health/Dental Clinic

As the system of health care evolves into managed care, organizations need to provide primary care to capitated populations in the most cost efficient yet effective manner. Critical to the success of the system is matching beneficiary demand with provider service supply in a competitive structure. This research study investigated the potential demand of beneficiaries projected to be enrolled at one primary care enrollment site at Fort Bragg, N.C. under the TRICARE system of military managed medical care. Historical military and civilian data were analyzed and the potential primary care visits for the year were projected. The supply issues focused on the number of patients the providers could treat per hour, hour availability, provider mix and support staff in projecting the number of visits which could be accommodated. Again, historical military and civilian data were researched. This data was developed into a spreadsheet template for varying beneficiary demand and provider productivity to evaluate different staffing structures and the resulting panel size number of beneficiaries enrolled per primary care provider. Suggestions for increasing panel size and subsequently financial payment under a capitated system were examined. Thus, through addressing demand and supply interactions and interventions, health care planners at Ft. Bragg can determine the most competitive staffing structure for this primary care clinic.