We all are aware that our level of spending of healthcare in the United States in greater than any comparable country without a corresponding improvement in results. Either as individual payers or being participants within our present tax system, including tax relief of employer-sponsored health insurance, collectively we are responsible for the cost of our healthcare. A recent… Read More »
As we continue to focus on shared decision making within the context of value-based care, one of the primary goals is the prevention of over treatment through better communication. To improve our conversations, we must first unearth any underlying components that impact both the patient and the provider. Disease uncertainty and management choices can evoke strong psychological reactions… Read More »
This week you can find my blog at Nashville Medical News, where I discuss the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the relationship between innovation and better patient outcomes. If we want to change the interactions between providers and those we serve to increase value, we must focus on personal activation and engagement. You can read my thoughts… Read More »
As we continue to discuss areas of healthcare savings, we need to focus on the lack of patient education, specifically how to have different discussions between patients and their physicians. Presently, we are asking our providers to share information with their patients, thereby allowing for informed, shared decision making. But is the information complete and delivered in a… Read More »
Recently, I had the unfortunate opportunity to experience a healthcare encounter first hand. Though I wish it could have been avoided, I immediately noticed several significant differences compared to other experiences of my past. Not long ago, on my blog, I wrote about shared decision making, pricing transparency, and the opioid situation of prescribing narcotics when not always… Read More »
Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with Health:Further to discuss the future of healthcare for practicing physicians, including the pros and cons of consolidation in healthcare and a transition back to a more individualized care model. Managing the polarity of physician quality of life vs. autonomy, the question of rural care access, and the wider… Read More »
As leaders, hiring the right talent is a critical component of the job. Being human, our emotions have the potential to override our rational intellect. Frequently, we gravitate to hiring those that are similar or compatible with our thought processes. Being able to communicate effectively with a new hire personally is vastly important. However, we must not allow… Read More »
Unfortunately, I do not always take the time to read the comments to posts or articles made by my colleagues, but today I did. Regardless of the topic, the same theme emerges, “if you just let me practice how I believe I should, all will be well.” Containing numerous layers and meanings, this comment, at its core, is… Read More »
As we continue to struggle with healthcare in the United States, a preeminent discussion point has been universal coverage within a single-payer structure. We, as well as other countries, have grappled with this dilemma for decades. One of the leading arguments for such a model is insuring the uninsured. Undoubtedly, a single-payer system is a solution. In moving… Read More »
A recent article in Health Affairs, Choosing Wisely Campaign: Valuable for Providers Who Knew About It, But Awareness Remained Constant, 2014-17 by Colla and Manior, explored how care providers had participated in a campaign to discuss low value vs. high value care with their patients before making care decisions. Unfortunately, not only did awareness of this campaign not… Read More »