Population Health

This month, HIMSS Media's information brands Healthcare IT News, Healthcare Finance News, MobiHealthNews and HIMSS TV will dive into one of the most pressing issues facing healthcare today – the baby-boom generation and its swelling demands on our system.

Despite its clear potential to improve access to high-quality care in underserved communities, telehealth is underutilized by safety-net providers due to a range of barriers, according to a new report from the RAND Corporation. The analysis, based on interviews with Medicaid officials from seven states and representatives from 19 Federally Qualified Health Centers in those states, points to insufficient reimbursement as a leading culprit for this lag, in addition to other logistical, policy and operational barriers. WHY IT MATTERS Telehealth can help rural, low-income and vulnerable populations better access health care -- and analyses have shown use of this technology, particularly live video telehealth, is growing among FQHCs. In some cases, telehealth is the only way to bring specialists into remote places. But uptake, maintenance and expansion of telehealth services have been spotty at best. The RAND report, sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services, seeks to find out why. Interviews with Medicaid and FQHC stakeholders revealed a lack of clarity around state telehealth policies and insufficient reimbursement as top barriers to adoption. Other limiting factors included: infrastructure issues (e.g., insufficient broadband), technology costs, telehealth as a cost center, billing challenges, lack of buy-in among FQHC providers, challenges specific to the patient population (e.g., elderly patients, homeless patients), complexities in adjusting clinic workflow, inadequate supply of specialists to provide telehealth services to FQHC patients, complex and time-consuming logistics around credentialing and licensing, and challenges in working with remote providers. The report suggests several possible solutions that address stakeholder concerns directly as well as areas for further research -- including surveying "the policy environment faced by FQHCs nationwide and explore whether certain policies seem to be associated with greater utilization of telehealth." THE LARGER TREND Given the advantages of using telehealth in underserved communities or to treat vulnerable patients, it is important that state officials and safety-net providers come to a mutual understanding of what's standing in the way of telehealth expansion for these populations -- and modify or clarify policies accordingly. Exciting developments in telemedicine technology must be evaluated in the context of whether they will provide benefits to all users, particularly those with the most need. ON THE RECORD "Telehealth is widely recognized as a tool that can increase access to care and improve quality, and, given that FQHCs are experimenting with telehealth across the United States, it is highly likely that many have confronted challenges and implemented strategies that can benefit others at different stages of implementation," the report authors write. "Studies such as this can support Medicaid programs and FQHCs in the important process of peer learning. Furthermore, our findings highlight the important role of policy, in combination with cultural, organizational, and infrastructure factors, in strengthening the delivery of telehealth services." Deirdre Fulton is communications professional and freelancer based in Maine. On Twitter: @deirdrefulton Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication. 

Given high levels of physician burnout and widespread disdain for EHRs, physicians actually have mixed feelings about EHRs, data and analytics.

Development has been "fairly stagnant," from some vendors, causing providers to fill the gap with population health management platforms, EHRs and business intelligence tools.

The deadline to submit a speaking proposal for the HIMSS Machine Learning & AI for Healthcare event is 5 p.m. on Monday, March 18. The event will be held in Boston on June 13-14. Event Overview: The influence of machine learning and artificial Intelligence is being felt throughout healthcare, but with it come big challenges with technology, terminology, domain expertise, and, perhaps most daunting, how to introduce this transformative tool into existing clinician workflows. Topics of interest and who can submit: This event presents peer-to-peer education and will look at the state of ML & AI in healthcare and separate what’s hype from what’s really happening in the field. Speakers will share success stories, lessons learned, and discuss challenges. We are particularly interested in how hospitals and health systems have implemented machine learning and AI to improve care, control costs, and drive operational efficiencies – in short, to transform healthcare to a better, more patient-centric and sustainable system. We also value submissions from other healthcare providers and payer organizations, academic institutes, and government agencies. We want sessions that share practical tips and actionable insights that our attendees from healthcare organizations can use to meet clinical and operational goals. Click here for more information and to submit a speaking proposal.

More than a year after it was first announced, the joint venture between Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase finally has a new moniker. The company will be called Haven. The brainchild of heavy-hitting CEOs Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffett and Jamie Diamon, the Boston-based company aims to "bring together the resources and capabilities of the three companies to create better outcomes, greater satisfaction, and lower costs for their U.S. employees and families," according to a statement on its new website. It will start this large undertaking by reimagining the way healthcare is delivered to the 1.2 million employees of those three companies. But it clearly has bigger goals, as evidenced by its hiring of renowned surgeon, author and health policy expert Atul Gawande as CEO this past June. "I feel incredibly lucky in this role," Gawande said. "I will get a million new patients." In a statement on Wednesday, he explained that the new company wants to "change the way people experience health care so that it is simpler, better, and lower cost. We'll start small, learn from the experience of patients, and continue to expand to meet their needs." On its website, the company says its name was chosen because it "reflects our goal to be a partner to individuals and families and help them get the care they need, while also working with clinicians and others to make the overall system better for all." Information and technology are going to be key in driving that vision. In November, for instance, Haven hired Dana Gelb Safran from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to oversee its analytics and quality improvement efforts, with the innovative title "Head of Measurement." Haven's aim, officials said, is to "deliver simplified, high-quality, and transparent health care at a reasonable cost. We are focused on leveraging the power of data and technology to drive better incentives, a better patient experience, and a better system. Our work may take many forms, and solutions may take time to develop, but Haven is invested in making health care much better for all of us." While it's initially focused on Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase employees, "in time, we intend to share our innovations and solutions to help others," said Haven officials. I’m not a branding pro, but in thinking about it more, Haven seems like the perfect choice if you want to send a message to the industry that you’re not intending to disrupt anything. It invokes calm, tranquility, friendliness. I’m sure a very thought out and delibeate choice. — Christina Farr (@chrissyfarr) March 6, 2019 From a branding perspective, I agree. And in an industry that feels chaotic and under attack it works on many levels. — Daniel Fell (@danfell) March 6, 2019 Also a destination - a place you want to get to - clever — Chris Steel (@chrissteel1) March 7, 2019 Haven for whom though? Consumer? Payer? Hospital system? Not sure it can or will be Haven for all constituents — John Moore (@john_chilmark) March 7, 2019 Twitter: @MikeMiliardHITN Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication. 

At the Health 2.0 Annual Fall Conference, documentary filmmaker Robyn Symon discusses physician burnout and suicide and the need for systemic solutions.

Translational research is a main focus point for the iTHRIV consortium, which brings together areas of expertise including genomics, clinical research, data science and more.

At the Food and Drug Administration, the physician and venture investor promoted policies focused on innovating approaches to population health, opioids, chronic disease, AI and precision medicine.

Physician informaticists adjusted workflow, optimized EHR documentation and built new tools to improve depression screening, diagnosis and management.