As we focus on quality, patient satisfaction continues to be a prominent measure of healthcare experience. In fact, higher patient satisfaction scores seem to correlate with desirable health outcomes. However, the issue arises concerning whether the current clinical care standard does in fact, accurately reflect clinical performance, and does it support efforts to improve the patient experience? A… Read More »
We continue to battle the epidemic of obesity and we have tried countless tactics to impact the ever-growing issue. Unfortunately, effective treatment remains elusive, no matter what models we utilize. Whether it is diets, behavioral modification, or even bariatric surgery, we seem to continue to have a minimal impact. The idea of self-activation and engagement continues to be… Read More »
As we continue to focus on the cost of healthcare and delivering value, there has been an ongoing interest in ordering ambulatory testing, especially regarding musculoskeletal complaints. What is driving this cost, is the volume of tests ordered and the unit price of those tests. Undoubtedly, it’s worth spending time discussing the degree of pricing; however, it is… Read More »
The desire to improve diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and safety is always on the minds of clinicians. Suddenly, artificial intelligence (AI) arrives, and everyone believes we have found nirvana and a solution to all problems. Unfortunately, despite multiple peaks of excitement, AI still has failed to meet our expectations. When we delve into the reasons concerning diagnostic accuracy, it’s… Read More »
In a manner that was not possible during “normal” times, the COVID crisis allowed us to implement much-needed changes and the expansion of virtual care is one of them. In addition to the growth of virtual care, increasing the healthcare workforce during a time of crisis was necessary. In all, 45 states extended licenses to out-of-state practitioners. Currently,… Read More »
Unfortunately, to date, the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve and reduce inequities in access, quality, and appropriateness of high-quality diagnosis and care, has remained more of an aspiration than a reality. There are numerous reasons for this situation; the newness of AI, the low sensitivity and specificity of the algorithms, the lack of health equity data… Read More »
Historically, healthcare systems and social safety net providers have worked in parallel to provide care to their constituents. There have been many instances of cross-pollination and mutual support, but this is not the norm, nor is it done in a manner that significantly enhances the value to all involved parties. The need for collaboration in a meaningful way… Read More »
Since the formation of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, there has been continuous growth in the number of Medicare beneficiaries that have chosen this model of care. The reasons are numerous. For instance, the pace of growth in the number of company offerings and members has picked up over recent years, and the current projection is that MA… Read More »
Currently, a significant portion of value-based care payments has focused on primary care-based models. Whether Medicare Advantage, Medicare Shared Savings Programs, Direct Primary Care, or other value-based programs, they all center on primary care clinicians and services. Though there are a few unique specialty-based models such as BPCI, the vast majority are not. These models have had a… Read More »
For many of us, certain technologies, including telemedicine, are viewed in a highly positive light as a methodology to increase access in a consumer-centric manner. However, there are concerns that such technology will potentially increase health disparities because of the lack of broadband access, hardware, and functional literacy. As a result of the pandemic, access to office-based visits… Read More »