Recently Community Hospital of Baker- stown has decided to form a buying com- mittee comprising administrators and physicians. The physicians represent the major service lines within the organiza- tion. The administrators are the VP of Nursing Services, the Director of Opera- tions, and the CFO. A member of the board who also serves on the hospital bud- get and capital committees and a represen- tative as a board member sit on each major hospital committee. The head of orthope dies at the previous evening meeting has recommended that the hospital purchase a particular joint replacement device made by Stryker. The orthopedic department has actually used several different devices. Over the past year, the hospital has asked. the department to pare down the number of alternatives when possible. At the meet- ing, the surgeon was asked if this was the recommended supplier by the depart- ment. "No," he answered. "I have used a Stryker device for years and they are rell- able and really the best."

a. What role does this physician play in the buying committee process?

b. What has occurred in this scenario?