This episode features Dr. William “Bill” Isenberg, Chief Medical Officer at Sutter Health. Here, he discusses his background, Sutter Health’s focus on health equity & the steps they are taking to be more of an equitable system.
Summary
Dr. Isenberg Discusses Sutter Health’s Focus on Health Equity
In a recent episode, Dr. William “Bill” Isenberg, Chief Medical Officer at Sutter Health, discussed his background and Sutter Health’s focus on health equity. He shared the steps they are taking to be a more equitable system.
The Importance of Health Equity
Dr. Isenberg spoke to the importance of health equity, noting that often times it requires distributing care in a way that is differential on the input side, so that on the output side equal outcomes for different groups are achieved. He also discussed how during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was discovered that in order to reach herd immunity, higher percentages of vaccination were needed for minority populations, which enabled specialized outreach in those communities. Lastly, he discussed the importance of providing individualized attention to patients in order to ensure equitable outcomes.
The Move Towards Value-Based Care
Dr. Isenberg discussed how the move towards value-based care is one of the most important changes we should all embrace and pursue, taking into account not just medical conditions but also social drivers of health. He shared his excitement about the digital revolution that has been a real help in healthcare as many people now have access to phones and can get help with their mental health issues through virtual visits. He also mentioned the opportunities to leverage augmented intelligence, robotic surgery, and e ICUs to maximize the use of AI and electronic solutions in the delivery of healthcare.
Sutter Health’s Steps Towards Health Equity
Dr. Isenberg discussed the steps Sutter Health is taking towards health equity. These steps include strengthening relationships with community organizations that serve marginalized communities and hiring staff members that reflect the communities they serve. Sutter Health is also collecting data on social determinants of health to understand how they impact their patients’ health outcomes. In addition, Sutter Health is working to address bias in healthcare and ensuring that all patients receive the same quality of care regardless of race or ethnicity.
Conclusion
Dr. Isenberg’s discussion of Sutter Health’s focus on health equity is timely and important, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sutter Health’s efforts towards providing equitable care serve as a model for other healthcare systems to follow, and their commitment to individualized attention is a testament to their dedication to patient care.
Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com
This episode aired on 12/16/2022 and can be listened here.
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