The New Year invites an opportunity to both reflect on and make projections related to changes in healthcare delivery and what the short-term future may hold for us.
One of those changes relates to the explosion of the population health dialog. Try replacing the word population with patient. Does the phrase mean the same thing to you? The term is frequently referenced when describing segmented patient populations. Now try replacing it with the word community.
Population health, when replaced with ‘patient health’, is not new, but new strategies for integrating relevant data offers significant opportunity for better care. Carving out a clinical scenario and revising the clinical pathway and care coordination processes to incorporate evidence-based treatment certainly falls under the umbrella of population health. IBM will be demonstrating these solutions at HIMSS 2016 next month.
So what does community health look like? Noting that the relevant community for any healthcare entity may vary significantly…
Check out the following partnership between Backus Hospital and Shop-Rite Supermarkets to expand a “Just Ask” program to promote heart-healthy food choices.*
Population health instills a different mindset by considering that your population includes both potential attributed members as well as existing patients. It invites the clinical leadership to not wait for the acute event to initiate care practices.
Let’s remember our end game. Triple Aim. Higher quality, better health with less need for acute services and increased affordability.
To learn more about how IBM is delivering on Population Health initiatives, visit IBM at HIMSS 2016, Booth #5932 next month.
Visit our IBM at HIMSS16, website for a preview of what you will see, request a private meeting or a hosted tour. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas, Feb 29- March 4 at HIMSS16!
Follow the conversation at IBM Healthcare Twitter: @IBMHealthcare & #IBMHealthcare.
* Courtesy of The Day as reported on January 2, 2016