In healthcare, we continue to increase our focus on preventing illness and disease. With prevention, we also must balance the polarity of whether the preventive treatment outweighs the risks involved. For instance, the association of vaccine usage with possible long-term impacts prevails in the minds of numerous people still, even though the research has staunchly supported their benefit… Read More »
Unlike collecting clinical information and medical claims, collecting the data on social determinants of health is much more challenging. Social determinants of health are understood by most to be the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. Historically, the tried and true method to determine these entailed either using demographic data, usually based on… Read More »
We need to consider several things when we ask a question like “Who Should we focus on to reduce healthcare costs?” In healthcare a modest percentage of patients define a disproportionate amount of expense, i.e., 20-30% of our unhealthy account for 70-80% of healthcare costs. Therefore, it is logical to focus on these individuals if we want to… Read More »
With the initiative of Choosing Wisely, which was introduced to the healthcare community in 2012, there has been an intentional focus on decreasing unnecessary testing such as CTs, MRIs, and labs. Superfluous medical treatment, tests, and procedures lead to not only increased cost, but also the potential for higher incidents of unintended harm. Incidental findings frequently lead to… Read More »
There is a saying that if you follow the money, you will spot what is on the horizon. Without a doubt, digital health is within our visual sphere. Digital Health Companies have an abundance of funding, and biosensor development seems to be a specific area of interest. As many know biosensor products have been successful in achieving a… Read More »
Mandatory vaccinations highlight the polarity on the debate between the rights of individual choice versus the betterment of the community. On one side of the discussion is the desire to promote personal choice. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, proponents against mandatory vaccination programs point out the possible risk of vaccinations as a reason for an opt-in model.… Read More »
When discussing the health and wellbeing of those we serve, we must elevate the conversation to include public health matters that affect our patients and society in its entirety. Physician organizations are instrumental in formulating recommendations and supporting health-related social justice. However, these discussions are equally imperative at the individual level, as physician interactions with their patients become… Read More »
With the 2018 New York University announcement of free medical school tuition, undoubtedly there is increased interest in the potential impact this will have. Many hypothesize that this is a new era, and a new education model is forthcoming and necessary. As recently as 2017, there was a proclamation from the Association of American Medical Colleges that the… Read More »
If one studies the life span of a company, progression occurs in many stages. Once a business has reached a level of “maturity,” its survival depends on its ability to innovate and adapt. Regarding value-based care and payment models, healthcare experiences a similar metamorphosis. Fee for service has been the prevailing payment model, and the consumer historically remained… Read More »
With the evolution of technology and innovation surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), it is essential to step back and dissect the nuances of how best to implement this emerging frontier in Health care. AI attempts to mimic human intelligence through iterative, complex pattern recognition and matching based on input data at a speed and scale that exceeds the human… Read More »