Brian Drozdowicz has seen firsthand how technology and an influx of patient information are transforming the future of healthcare. Patient data and insights are more accessible than ever, promising to provide a holistic view of the patient narrative for the first time in the history of care. As the industry moves toward value-based care models, interoperability will become a foundational element of healthcare — as indispensable as the doctors and nurses delivering the care itself.
How can we accelerate the adoption of value-based care?
BD: While accelerating the shift to value-based care requires a multifaceted approach, I’ll focus on a few key steps.
First, we need to improve the sharing of health information across different healthcare settings to enable better care coordination and facilitate data-driven decision-making, both of which are essential components of value-based care. We can do this by investing in technology solutions, such as electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and data analytics. Leveraging technology in this way will enhance care coordination, enable proactive interventions, and facilitate population health management.
Next, and importantly, we must establish supportive policies and regulations that encourage the adoption of value-based care models. This includes removing barriers to care, providing financial incentives, and aligning regulatory frameworks to promote innovation and value-based care initiatives.
What are some of the obstacles that we still need to overcome to truly achieve value-based care?
BD: Value-based care relies on the seamless exchange of health information across different healthcare settings. Interoperability challenges —including incompatible EHR systems and data fragmentation — continue to impede this exchange. Establishing robust health information exchange infrastructure and standards will be crucial for overcoming this obstacle.
Another challenge lies in shifting reimbursement models and financial incentives to align with value-based care — a process that often requires overcoming resistance from stakeholders who have grown accustomed to the fee-for-service model.
Finally, some physicians and healthcare providers may perceive value-based care as burdensome and disruptive to their established workflows. During a time of widespread burnout, it will be essential to address these concerns by demonstrating the many benefits of value-based care. These include increased efficiency, streamlined workflows, and providing proper training.
You mentioned the need for more patient data exchange between providers. Why is this important and how can we continue to close the information gap?
BD: We know that the more information clinicians have about a patient, the better they can perform. But for many — and especially those on the front lines of care — the healthcare ecosystem is fragmented, resulting in greater risks and inconsistent care.
Data interoperability bridges the information gap by removing the need for often overworked clinicians to spend hours tracking down data from past visits. The right technology solution can create a unified, longitudinal patient record that is continuously updated with new information, empowering all stakeholders involved in a patient’s care to make quick, intuitive, and often life-saving care decisions.
Can you talk a little bit more about how real-time interoperability can improve outcomes?
BD: The ultimate goal is for patient data to act as a preventative measure, to accurately predict patient outcomes before they occur and allow providers to receive critical information at the point of care. This way, providers can prevent readmissions for all patients, regardless of the patient’s risk level, and create truly personalized care programs.
Leveraging patient data to create more standardized, evidenced-based care models will make it easier for care collaborators to surface abnormalities in a patient’s chart, communicate those findings asynchronously, and provide the appropriate interventions. Overall, by using technology to improve communication between the acute, payer, and longterm care facilities, we can enable seamless care transitions that lead to healthier patients.
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