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Checking the Box Scores

Article

Doctors' results are hidden, opaque, and indecipherable to even the most ardent stats geeks. What would it look like if doctors had box scores like baseball players?

The other day I overhead a professional sports team coach say that he used to have a friend who remarked that he, the friend, could never have a job where someone writes about how you did every day of the season. Doctors don't have to worry about that, because the results of every day are hidden, opaque and indecipherable to even the most ardent stats geeks.

But, suppose, just suppose, the vale was lifted and outcomes and value transparency resulted. What should the box score look like for Dr. Meyers?

1. Runs, hits, and errors on an absolute and comparative basis.

2. A handicap for those dealing with difficult to treat patients or those who are very sick and have lots of comorbid conditions.

3. Moneyball. Include those analytics that translate into runs, winning seasons, and championships.

4. Trends. Are you seeing the beginnings of a winning season or just another dull one?

5. What kind of productivity are we getting for what we're paying this guy?

6. Are we reaching the salary cap?

7. How much revenue is this guy bringing us in ticket sales and cable coverage?

8. How many championships did this guy win?

9. How did he perform in clutch games?

10. When do we say enough is enough and trade the bum?

Most of us recall the story of when the Babe said, "I know, but I had a better year than Hoover.”

- Reported reply when a reporter objected that the salary Ruth was demanding ($80,000) was more than that of President Herbert Hoover's ($75,000).

Ruth probably deserved it, as do a lot of docs who can put it over the center field fence with 2 outs in the bottom on the 9th with the bases loaded. The stats prove it.

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