Comments on: HIStalk Interviews Parker Hinshaw

By: Jedi Knight

Jedi Knight — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:48:59 +0000

I enjoyed seeing this on the web site this morning. I knew Parker when he came into Daou Systems (most likely one of the places with bad culture he is thinking about), and I think the article does a good job capturing his personality and providing another opinion on HIStalk. He is really a nice, smart, hard-working guy and very down-to-earth and easy to talk to. And, my observations of his past experience does line up with what he says he’s trying to do in this article.

By: Ex Hospital Specialist

Ex Hospital Specialist — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:49:34 +0000

What Mr. Hinshaw doesn’t mention is that most consulting companies pull these folks from hospitals, but don’t warn them of the risks that go with consulting. They lure folks in with offerings of doubling their salaries, but fail to tell them that they could be on the bench in 6 months and depending on the consulting company could be released within 2 months. Which leaves the ex hospital specialist without a job and searching for another consulting company or looking to go back to a secure job within a hospital. If you venture into consulting enjoy the ride while you can and get the most out of these consulting companies before they let you go.

By: Bob Kaplan

Bob Kaplan — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:49:24 +0000

I think Parker hit the mark precisely on target with his comments about the software firms and their poorly aligned incentives and terrible quality of life issues for staff. Thirty five years of experience has taught him the true lessons of good business practice; doing it right the first time and keeping the patient as the center of all concern.

By: Jeremy H

Jeremy H — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:45:18 +0000

I’m a Systems Analyst at a smaller hospital and while I appreciate Mr. Hinshaw’s opinion I have difficulty understanding why someone would move to a consulting role rather than a larger hospital or (if there are no larger hospital’s) a hospital in need of a complete re-haul of their specialty. However, I do admire the fact that they promote knowledge transfer, in my experience that is something many consultants demote.