Physicians and Big Data – Can You Say “Overload”?
Too much of even a good thing can be unhealthy. Any physician would readily agree. The push to a Value Based HealthCare (VBC) delivery model relies heavily on patient data and meaningful use.
Sadly, most physicians feel overwhelmed and overloaded with patient data entry and regulations. The bottom line: most physicians are focusing too much on data entry and mandates and not enough on patient care.
The Value Based Care model initiative we are currently moving to is an attempt to move healthcare away from a Fee for Service (FFS) or volume model. The value model of care involves incentives to physicians and hospitals that improve their clinical outcomes. Enter Big Data! The accumulation of patient information and endless mandates is meant to be the foundation for the Value Based Care model.
The reality is disparate software systems and lack of interoperability has left physicians and patients alike feeling helpless. How often do you hear of a patient waiting for their doctor to obtain test results even weeks after those tests were performed? What about the primary care physician who refers their patient to a specialist, only to have to track down reports for the specialist patient encounter? The continuity of care in any patient case should be seamless and encourage an efficient workflow that benefits both doctor and patient. All too often, patients complain that they are repeatedly asked for and are filling out the same information from office to office. Is this what we call Meaningful Use?
Value Based Care is a reality. The original promise was the mandated accumulation of patient data that would allow physicians to be more effective in treatment recommendations and decision making for our patients health outcomes. Success to date has been limited. How can we continue to demand this enormous effort with a minimal degree of actionable information in return? I guess time will tell.
In part two of this blog series, I’ll continue my rant on Big Data and Physician Overload. Until then, the doctor is out.