番茄社区

An internal medicine physician charged that Indiana University Health Physicians limited patient visit time to 10 minutes and let him go after he pushed back against the policy, according to .

Brian Leon, MD, who had worked at IU Health for more than 2 decades and more recently held leadership positions -- including serving as a university site medical director for approximately 5 years -- said in his complaint that despite an impeccable record of service, he was relieved of his leadership positions in 2020 and was told that his 2012 contract would not be renewed.

Leon charged that in 2020, health system leadership set the electronic medical record (EMR) time goal at 10 minutes per patient visit. The effort to reduce the EMR time to generate more revenues, he said, was inconsistent with the medical practice's directives, the Hippocratic Oath, patients' rights, and the ideal of 20- to 30-minute return visits and 40- to 60-minute new visits.

Leon alleged leadership directed him to "keep his mouth closed," and "sit on his hands," and "do what he was told to do." And when he did not, Leon alleged he experienced a hostile work environment, then was relieved of leadership positions and let go.

His complaint also charged that from 2016 to 2018, IU Health Physicians suffered annual deficits of $200 million, which contributed to the system not renewing his contract. He alleged that the deficits were known to leadership and resulted in pressure to "see as many patients as possible per four-hour session."

He said it also resulted in his patients being diagnosed and treated by physicians "substantially less experienced" than him, "who were neither board certified in internal medicine nor familiar with the patients' histories."

Leon is seeking damages for what he alleged were discriminatory actions by IU Health Physicians related to his loss of employment as well as emotional distress experienced as a result, among other claims.

IU Health has not yet filed a response to Leon's complaint.

However, a spokesperson said the following in a statement provided to 番茄社区 in an email: "While IU Health cannot comment on active litigation, IU Health can confirm there is no such directive to limit patient appointments to 10 minutes. The 10-minute reference in the legal document refers to a goal for time spent in the EMR documenting information typically after the patient visit. The EMR time does not include the time a physician spends directly with the patient (listening, diagnosing, treating them), and all IU Health providers are encouraged to spend the necessary time they need seeing and documenting patient visits."

"IU Health knows spending excessive time in the EMR is a dissatisfier for physicians and contributes to burnout," the spokesperson added. "After conducting a study on EMR usage, IU Health primary care has been encouraging physicians to set a 10-minute goal for charting in the medical record after each appointment with a goal to reduce screen time and have more patient face time."

The spokesperson confirmed that Leon is not employed at IU Health.

Legal counsel for Leon did not immediately respond to request for comment. According to his LinkedIn page, Leon is currently employed as assistant medical director at Community Health Network in Indianapolis.

Comment