A new white paper issued by the National Partnership for Women & Families and Highland Park, Ill.-based Health Quality Advisors discusses crucial strategies for focusing on patient-centeredness in accountable care organizations.
"Genuine patient-centeredness is more than mints-on-the-pillow at the hospital, a hearty handshake from the doctor and a couple of reminder emails to take your medications after you get home," said the author of the white paper Michael L. Millenson, president of Health Quality Advisors.
The white paper also discusses how consumerism in medicine is composed of separate but intertwined ethical, economic and clinical concepts pulled together by an ACO with the patient at the center.
Healthcare organizations looking to fulfill these components of consumerism need to focus on three core functions, according to the paper:
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"Genuine patient-centeredness is more than mints-on-the-pillow at the hospital, a hearty handshake from the doctor and a couple of reminder emails to take your medications after you get home," said the author of the white paper Michael L. Millenson, president of Health Quality Advisors.
The white paper also discusses how consumerism in medicine is composed of separate but intertwined ethical, economic and clinical concepts pulled together by an ACO with the patient at the center.
Healthcare organizations looking to fulfill these components of consumerism need to focus on three core functions, according to the paper:
- Governance and policies focusing on the ACO as an organization. CMS insists the patient's voice be heard in the boardroom to influence how care is deliver in the hospital rooms.
- Quality improvement activities that address the actual care provided. It should incorporate values of transparency, individualization, recognition, respect, dignity and choice, according to CMS.
- Individual patient-clinician interactions that relate to the active participation of patients and their families. Organizations should make sure patients are involved in the medical decision-making process.
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