Digitizing Health

Two years ago, the major national primary care organizations went public with their patient-centered "Medical Home" concept.1 Since then, the AMA and 17 other specialty societies, as well as many Fortune 500 companies have endorsed the movement. This includes a vote of confidence for primary care, patient centrality, coordinated team care and payment reform to […]

How Much Should My Hospital Invest in EMRs Today?

"How much do you think my hospital should invest in electronic medical records over the next few years?” This was the question asked of me last week by a CEO of a large Health Care System, who was a member of the American Hospital Association’s Long Range Policy Committee, after I had just shared with […]

Ix: Information Therapy

Most people know by now that Electronic Medical Records got a boost from President Obama’s stimulus package- $19 billion to be precise. This money will help to incentivize hospitals and doctors to get moving. Currently, fewer than 20% of hospitals and 25% of physicians’ offices are fully automated. Obama’s administration believes that moving the dial […]

“Medical Home” Vision

Too much medical, not enough home As we listen to thought leaders and experts in medical education, public health, chronic disease management, global health and the dual burden of disease, wellness and prevention, and alternative health, two things are clear. First, change is in the air. Second, our thought processes are converging, even as our […]

Alternative Medicine Goes Mainstream

Don’t forget palliative careAs populations age in the United States, chronic illnesses create an uncertain medical future. By 2030, a fifth of the U.S. population will be over 65, and many will face the challenges of managing one or more chronic illnesses for a significant number of years, including physical and psychological distress, functional dependency […]

President Obama’s Generation

Magee family and the passage of timeWatching President Obama’s speech today, as I was doing an emergency repair of my grand-daughter’s doll house in Cumberland, RI, I was very conscious of the passage of time, and the meaning of this historic event to various family generations. For Trish and I, born in the late 40’s, […]

Rebooting America’s Health IT Conversation Part 2: Beyond EHRs

The Obama health care team should consider a wide range of useful, innovative health IT options[By David C. Kibbe & Brian Klepper] Yesterday we tried to put EHRs into perspective. They’re important, and we can’t effectively move health care forward without them. But they’re only one of many important health IT functions. EHRs and health […]

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