Clinically Important
W. Tom Fogarty, M.D., is the Chief Medical Officer of Concentra. A founding member of the organization, he has been instrumental in guiding its vision and expansion for more than 25 years. Dr. Fogarty is responsible for overseeing the medical practice, encouraging evidence-based medicine, and providing leadership to more than 800 clinicians. Dr. Fogarty answers questions about new programs and initiatives and what they mean for Concentra’s patients, clients, and colleagues.
How has the addition of urgent care services affected the traditional occupational medicine practice at Concentra Medical Centers?
In many ways, urgent care is the same medical care we have delivered to patients for years; we are simply extending our expertise to a new group of patients. An injury sustained in the workplace – for example, a low-back strain – is largely similar to one suffered at home. Based on more than 12 years of gathering and analyzing treatment patterns of occupational injuries, we are able to apply the same outcomes-based approach to treat this injury and achieve a successful result. Also, the majority of the physicians in our medical centers are board-certified in Family or Emergency medicine, so they have a background treating the wide range of injuries and illnesses that an urgent care practice sees on a daily basis.
What is Concentra’s approach to evidence-based medicine?
Evidence-based medicine is a highly technical subject that can be interpreted in different ways, but our approach has always been focused on providing quality medicine that achieves the best outcomes. As a large medical practice, Concentra has been able to gather data on millions of cases across our network of medical centers. We use this data throughout the organization to improve practice patterns, develop medical guidelines, support our research institute, and create an environment of continual learning for our clinicians.
What unique advantages does Concentra bring to the marketplace?
What I described above – a continual learning environment – is a significant advantage because it helps us achieve positive outcomes for the patients we treat. In addition, by providing a level of urgent care service at our medical center locations, we have the advantage of offering a wide range of health care services in one location. This gives patients options when their regular doctors are unavailable, and provides a cost-effective alternative to the emergency room when the injury or illness is not life- or limb-threatening. We also offer Concentra TotalCare, which is an integrated health care program that focuses on preventing disease and chronic health conditions, and reducing the occurrence of injury. This program combines our areas of expertise – primary, preventive, occupational, environmental health services – and it is delivered through our unique combination of on-site medical clinics, mobile medical service, and medical center locations.
What role do physicians play in improving the patient experience?
Our physicians are instrumental in creating an exceptional patient experience. Other members of a medical center contribute to the patient experience, but I believe most patients view their physician as a trusted advisor for their health and well-being. In fact, patients tell their doctors things they would not tell anyone else. The physician’s words and actions can either solidify that advisor role or diminish it. By using good interpersonal skills and showing courtesy and genuine concern, a physician can build trust and ease anxiety in what is often an unwanted and stressful situation.
What do you see as “next steps” for Concentra?
As a medical practice, we continue to recruit qualified physicians and health care practitioners who share our commitment to clinical excellence, evidence-based medicine, and patient care. In our centers and on-site locations, we are continually looking for ways to offer affordable and efficient health solutions for employers and patients. And as noted above, we are focused on continually improving the patient experience so patients receive quality, respectful care at any of our medical centers or on-site clinics. We are focused on making health care as positive an experience as possible, as consistently as possible, one patient at a time.
Learn more about Dr. Fogarty’s background.
Return to top