As we focus on improving the health of those we serve, we must remember the interaction between one’s health and one’s work. When we think about work-related events, we tend to think about injuries and taking time off when we are sick. The interactions between the two are much greater. There has always been a focus on employee… Read More »
Recently, I have been hearing a conundrum concerning how should we be referring to the body of work around behavioral health. There is a growing number of people that think we should be referring to this area as mental health as to denote that there is a true clinical condition. This view is absolutely correct, except for it… Read More »
Medicine has been plagued with the issue of logic. If A = B, and B = C, then does A = C? The answer unfortunately is not always yes. As we look at the science behind a lot of what we do, we first have observational studies that tell us something. For example, in the field of high… Read More »
When we think about drug costs, many people immediately go to the idea that drug companies are just trying to maximize the return on their investment like any other company. But drug companies have high research and development costs, and are a constant risk of “losing” customers because medication adherence is low. High upfront costs and customer instability… Read More »
In the move to consumerism, where the consumer has financial “skin in the game,” there are two prevailing thoughts: One, that a consumer will be more discrete in their purchasing if there is money coming out of their pocket, and two, that same consumer has the ability to live without the good purchased. Unfortunately one’s need for healthcare… Read More »
Medicine is an imperfect science, coupled with the art of human experiences. The experience of the physician and the patient both come into play. But unfortunately, we often ignore how these points of view come together, creating a struggle between the needs of the physician and the patient. As we continuously strive to treat and diagnose those that… Read More »
In the United States we have traditionally distinguished dental health from medical health. This divide dates back to the creation of two, distinct educational models and tracks. It continues as dental care and medical care are paid under different insurance mechanisms. Dental care seems to be financially treated and viewed as a luxury versus a medical necessity. This… Read More »
Moving to value-based models of care will require us to include our patients in decision making in ways we have not done before. Historically healthcare has focused on first doing no harm, which has led us to err on the side of being conservative and has thus led to increased utilization of services. As we move to models… Read More »
As we think about creating value for those we serve, a major component is making sure we view those that consume the goods we produce as partners in the decision making process. Though this might seem obvious, healthcare has historically not taken this approach. Payments have not been made by those consuming the resources, and the resources (healthcare)… Read More »
In order to improve the health and well-being of those we serve, we will be challenged to take a broader view of what is needed. Whether it is the different components of an illness, or the social determinants that impact the barriers to receiving care, taking a more systemic approach is required. Using system capital is process of… Read More »