title: Be positive--it's a necessary strategy.
abstract: The hallmarks of successful health care organizations include: A positive physician culture; meaningful physician involvement in governance and top management; and stability and strong community roots. Success is most likely where physicians in the facilities are having professional fun, where freedom from negativity allows them to perform at their highest level of quality. When a positive physician culture takes hold, remarkable things can occur. In the best scenarios, physicians are deeply involved in strategic direction, as well as in practice. They are part of making the decisions, instead of merely grumbling about decisions made by others. The column provides suggestions for creating a positive physician culture.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lyons
mesh_terms: D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D018578:Hospital-Physician Relations; D006801:Humans; D015279:Organizational Culture; D008486:Physician Executives; D010819:Physician's Role; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology