Articles of Interest
Modern Healthcare (June 1, 2019)- The first step on the journey to eliminating low-value care is measuring it. A tool, which was developed in collaboration with VBID Health, focuses on measures that are prevalent, have simple definitions and lack controversy. It also picks measures that organizations could feasibly do something about.
NPR (April 19, 2019)- Medical education is built on the assumption that the more procedures or treatments doctors see and do, the more competent they'll be when they're independent. It can feel tempting to do more rather than less. But excessive medical tests and treatments can have financial and personal costs.
MedPage Today (January 27, 2019)- Shared decision-making can significantly lower the probability that patients will file lawsuits and complaints, according to a simulation study.
USA Today (January 11, 2019)- We shouldn't strong-arm insurers — and all of us who pay premiums and taxes — into paying for unproven treatments. Let research guide our health care.
Consumer Reports (November 29, 2018)- Some may be life-saving, but others can waste time and money—and pose risks. The trouble is, too few people are getting the right tests.
Forbes (October 30, 2018)- While more protective headgear during sports and child safety seats in cars has resulted in a decrease in the numbers of severe head injuries on playing fields and in motor vehicle accidents, head injuries in children continue to be a concern, not only in frequency, but in how to manage them.
Health Affairs (October 11, 2018)- What can be done to encourage doctors and other clinicians to heed new evidence when it shows the tests or procedures they are delivering are in fact not helping their patients—and may even harm them?
The New York Times (September 10, 2018)- Procedures live on even after they’ve been proved ineffective. It can lead to harms and wasted resources.
Stat (July 10, 2018)- Reverse innovation from India can help hospitals in the U.S. boost quality, lower costs, and expand access to the underserved.
Pew Research (July 9, 2018)- Americans have mixed views about the overall value of medical treatments today, though many say science has generally improved the quality of U.S. health care.
The New York Times (May 16, 2018)- In its push for profits, the U.S. health care system has made it difficult for patients to get personal attention from doctors. But what if hands-on medicine actually saves money - and lives?
U.S. News & World Report (March 28, 2018)- When confronted with medical recommendations and decisions, most individuals have relied on the knowledge and experience of their doctors to determine what course would be best for them to follow. Now, the approach to medical decision making is becoming more of a shared process.
Modern Healthcare (March 10, 2018)- Hospitals and health systems are picking apart just about everything they do clinically to try to eliminate waste, seeking efficiencies in sometimes unusual areas. After all, about 30% of healthcare spending each year is deemed wasteful, which includes spending on unnecessary care along with excess administrative spending and fraud.
National Public Radio (February 1, 2018)- It's one of the intractable financial boondoggles of the U.S. health care system: Lots and lots of patients get lots and lots of tests and procedures that they don't need.
Modern Healthcare (December 8, 2017)- A recent survey found that in defining high-value care, patients emphasize costs and convenience while doctors see relationships and patient outcomes as better indicators of value.
Modern Healthcare (June 1, 2017)- Rising healthcare costs have shifted the responsibility to clinicians to help hospitals stay within tight budgets.
The Conversation (March 12, 2017)- Reducing health-care waste relating to unnecessary tests has been a major priority for researchers, governments and health services for decades. But how do we change the behaviour of doctors?
NEJM (September 14, 2016)- High-value care sometimes seems to be a problem for hospital leaders and policymakers. Why should individual residents be concerned with providing high-value care? Will it really matter if an intern orders fewer blood labs?
Medical Economics (April 1, 2015)- The push is on for physicians to embrace the concept of high-value care, providing patients with appropriate treatment while avoiding wasteful or unnecessary tests. But high-value care requires physicians to navigate many pitfalls, including lack of time to talk with patients and malpractice pressures.
Wall Street Journal (January 15, 2015)- Tim Hannon and Rishi Sikka write that transfusions are great when used appropriately. Too often, they're not.
