Research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research focuses on whether and why the use of online health applications improves patient empowerment and knowledge and if such improvement leads to better health outcomes.
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The Commonwealth Fund releases an Issue Brief describing the readiness or lack thereof among hospitals participating in accountable care organizations. As might be expected, handling financial risk is one of the biggest shortcomings, along with necessary information system infrastructure.
An article from Rand Corporation researchers published in Health Affairs details the continued growth and use of retail clinics. These facilities offer a convenient and inexpensive method for consumers to access health care and offer an increasing menu of services.
Another sunny Potpourri, brightening your day with rays of data on hospital at home; Medicare care coordination programs; an employer survey on impacts of the reform law; a survey on health habits and employee productivity; first quarter health plan results and ER use and end-of-life care.
Health Affairs contains a survey regarding physicians’ acceptance of new Medicaid patients, which reveals that a significant fraction won’t accept new ones, largely because of low fees. The reform act attempts to ameliorate the issue, but likely will exacerbate it in the longer term.
KPMG releases a report on the ongoing transformation of the United States’ health care system, which affects payers, providers and patients. The firm gives its perspective on the forces driving the transformation and on what responses are needed by participants if they are to continue to be successful.
The “consumer” is all the rage in health care and a new report form PWC examines the customer experience and how to improve it, based on expectations in other industries and surveys of health care patients. Simple things like friendliness, speed and convenience may be keys to building loyalty and managing retention.
A study from Truven Health Analytics looks at likely outcomes from the reform law’s provide insurance or pay a penalty provisions, suggesting that few employers would likely drop coverage, but some assumptions in the model appear to have flaws.
Another wonderful Potpourri, as lovely as a summer day, with information on small physician practices, medication adherence in Medicaid, access to care in Massachusetts, plan loyalty and PHRs, a survey regarding onsite health centers and hospital productivity in Massachusetts after reform.
A new survey from Jackson Healthcare gives a snapshot of current views of many physicians. Physicians are perhaps the most important part of the health care system and they appear stressed, concerned and discouraged about the future and about many of the health care programs they work with.
About this Blog
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at [email protected].
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