Recently, there has been a tremendous amount of focus and thought surrounding the idea that if patients use primary care more frequently, healthcare costs will improve. The thought is if more time is spent on prevention it will decrease the need for additional expensive interventions over time. Simultaneously, there is also conversations surrounding a shortage of primary care… Read More »
As we focus on delivering value, and decreasing waste, clinical appropriateness needs to be considered on a daily basis. Unfortunately, much variation is due to the lack of health care providers following evidence-based guidelines. There are various reasons this occurs, including a lack of consensus between medical societies, ease of disseminating new information when it is published, as… Read More »
A profession is defined as an occupation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested, objective counsel and service to others for direct and definite compensation. The two key components of this very “matter of fact” definition are specialized educational training and offering a service to others for payment. Unquestionably, those that provide… Read More »
In the present age of healthcare, we understand that social determinants play a critical role in health and wellness, as well as influencing our ability to treat illnesses. Those who identify with issues such as food insecurity, intimate partner violence, availability or quality of housing, and the ability to pay for necessities such as utilities like heat and… Read More »
As we continuously increase our utilization of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our day-to-day healthcare delivery, understanding how this impacts trust between physician and patient is a vital consideration. Historically, the relationship between a physician and their patient held the highest degree of intimacy, privacy, and assurance. Knowing this, it is right to consider; how does one… Read More »
In examining healthcare expenditures, various factors influence costs. Although we focus a tremendous amount on overutilization, variation, and waste, unit prices are also an essential factor. For example, drug costs constitute a significant focus concerning unit pricing. However, there are other numerous inputs affecting the health services unit cost equation. One of these such areas is payments to… Read More »
As our health systems continue to shift to value-based care, it has become paramount that providing quality care to not just some, but ALL we serve is essential. Therefore, focusing on the health disparities that exist is important since a lack of health equity continues to be a significant factor contributing to poor health in many communities. If… Read More »
Last week my post, In Healthcare, Who Protects Us from Misinformation, I discussed the use of “sensationalism” to garner attention. I also mentioned as healthcare providers it is part of our role to join the conversation to ensure balanced and truthful information is shared. Recently an Op Ed appeared in the New York Times with a catchy title;… Read More »
The majority of literature on trust between physicians and patients focuses on patients believing what their physicians are telling them. Traditionally, the physician has played the role of the single source of information and the patient the receiver without their own level of knowledge. However, with the advancement of technology and research being something searchable at the patient’s… Read More »
In over sixteen hundred articles published since 2000, the value of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is irrefutably clear – “ERAS optimizes operative functional status to improve clinical outcome and patient satisfaction.” ERAS concepts are a comprehensive patient care movement that originated in Europe. By treating undesirable perioperative pathophysiologic processes, like colorectal surgery, which was the first surgery… Read More »