Healthcare

Many of you will find it surprising that I am not putting together a status report but rather blogging about my observations from the Infosys booth at HIMSS. Well for starters the blogs are easier to write and are just my own opinions. This time the HIMSS was all about complex ideas about making  healthcare simpler, cheaper and better. But looking at the X-ray machines which some of our co exhibitors were presenting and the cost of the same for so little additional benefit was kind of counter intuitive – in the name of connectivity and at the cost of adding a chip to the machine we are probably going to end up making the diagnostic process so complex that it would be hard to counter argue about the cost reduction and at the end of the day can even end blaming the machine or the user for a wrong decision. This I believe the providers are learning well from the Payers and the politicians!

Continue reading "Observations from our Booth at HIMSS" »

Posted by Anirban Majumder at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs) gained limelight in 2004 when President Bush called for Electronic Health Records for every American by 2014. The primary objective of RHIOs was to create an interoperability and information sharing infrastructure so that 360 degree view or complete medical history of patient’s health records can be made available for healthcare decision making. The desired outcomes were improved quality of care, prevention of clinical errors, elimination of redundant tests or care, prevention of adverse reactions, better care coordination and reduction in healthcare costs. The concept of Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs), also called Medical Homes, goes back to its introduction by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1967. However this primary care model has gained popularity over last one year as President Obama rolled out healthcare reforms. Patient Centered Medical Home is a care model where primary care physician is responsible for complete care coordination of the patient. Primary care physician collaborates with other physicians and care organizations based on the care needs of the patient and also educate the patient on self-health management. PCMHs share the same goals as RHIOs in terms of improved quality of care, better care coordination, better clinical outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

Continue reading "Patient Centered Medical Homes: RHIO déjà vu" »

Posted by Seema Pandey at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Physicians, nurses and case managers spend time with patients to educate them on self-health management; however, technology is increasingly playing an important role in enabling patients lead a better quality of life. Two key dimensions of patient enablement are:
• Access to care at the right level and the right time
• Access to information that helps them manage their health
Technology is addressing both the dimensions of patient enablement. E-Consultation is enabled via internet, IP TV, kiosks and mobile devices which gives patients anytime, anywhere access to care for certain conditions that do not require physician office visit.  E-Consultation can happen in synchronous mode over video/web chat or in an asynchronous mode over email. Some payors are reimbursing for eConsultation making this form of care a viable option for their members.

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Posted by Seema Pandey at 08:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Yes, I believe so. Earlier patients were not well informed about their conditions, disease progression, medications, their side effects and the onus was entirely on the physicians to extract necessary information from patient and care-givers for treatment related decision-making. Extracting clinically significant information was a challenge in with language/cultural barriers coming into play or a patient who is inarticulate or unobservant about relevant signs and symptoms. With information explosion in the wake of internet wave, now a large number of patients visit physicians with prior research on their signs and symptoms as well as treatment options.

Continue reading "Can informed and enabled patients contribute to better outcomes?" »

Posted by Seema Pandey at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

The most prominent model of disease management today is the payor-driven disease management which aims to reduce costs of high risk patients. Other models are pharma-sponsored disease management which promotes usage of drugs from that pharma or employer-sponsored wellness program targeting improvement in productivity and higher employee satisfaction. None of these models have primary objective of making a significant difference in the quality of life of chronic patients through disease management services.

Continue reading "Patient centric Disease Management" »

Posted by Seema Pandey at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In India, a leading hsopital conceptualized the program to lead Outpatient chronic care market and to some extent, extend brand in outpatient care – By offering a comprehensive chronic care model. Here is the evolution of disease management in India:

Continue reading "Chronic Disease Management scene in India?" »

Posted by Venu Tirumala at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)