Greetings to all.
When we started the journey with Collaboration Health Care, Inc. in 2006 we set out with some pretty ambitious goals. At the beginning, we established our vision for the "perfect" health care system. It was a system that balanced individual accountability and private initiatives with broader "governmental" goals. We realized the perfect system was going to need a combination of them both.
From our 40+ years of working in the system- we witnessed the development of the "silos" that had been created. Collaboration was limited- as everyone was looking out for their individual self-interests. We saw the different stakeholders "retrench and defend" when interacting with each other- instead of reaching out to "collaborate" and seek solutions that would be a win/win for all. Too often- our health care delivery system utilizes win/lose strategies.
We also recognized the "rigidity and structure" that was imposed on creativity within the delivery system- as stakeholders tended to view initiatives from a very limited perspective. Really good ideas that would benefit the broader system don't go very far if they don't meet the specific objectives of one stakeholder group. We lived through that one.
We also saw the importance of the individual- the consumer- that is left out of the equation until the end. With 80% of our costs related to lifestyle behaviors of our society- doesn't it make sense to get these individuals involved-- on a true grass-roots level?
The amazing thing is that all of the pieces are here. They just don't work together effectively.
So- our idea was to help facilitate collaboration, relationships, communication and pull creativity together to look for win/win solutions. We wanted to see if we could move portions of the delivery system into a creative mode- instead of the defensive mode that characterizes health care today.
We have a new Administration that will likely be approaching health care from a different perspective. Health care is now an economic issue- not just a social issue anymore.
What are your thoughts? What are your ideas to help collaborate, and bring the people and organizations together to help us organize the mess we have today?
We have no doubt that we can do it. We just need to get organized to make it happen.
When we started the journey with Collaboration Health Care, Inc. in 2006 we set out with some pretty ambitious goals. At the beginning, we established our vision for the "perfect" health care system. It was a system that balanced individual accountability and private initiatives with broader "governmental" goals. We realized the perfect system was going to need a combination of them both.
From our 40+ years of working in the system- we witnessed the development of the "silos" that had been created. Collaboration was limited- as everyone was looking out for their individual self-interests. We saw the different stakeholders "retrench and defend" when interacting with each other- instead of reaching out to "collaborate" and seek solutions that would be a win/win for all. Too often- our health care delivery system utilizes win/lose strategies.
We also recognized the "rigidity and structure" that was imposed on creativity within the delivery system- as stakeholders tended to view initiatives from a very limited perspective. Really good ideas that would benefit the broader system don't go very far if they don't meet the specific objectives of one stakeholder group. We lived through that one.
We also saw the importance of the individual- the consumer- that is left out of the equation until the end. With 80% of our costs related to lifestyle behaviors of our society- doesn't it make sense to get these individuals involved-- on a true grass-roots level?
The amazing thing is that all of the pieces are here. They just don't work together effectively.
So- our idea was to help facilitate collaboration, relationships, communication and pull creativity together to look for win/win solutions. We wanted to see if we could move portions of the delivery system into a creative mode- instead of the defensive mode that characterizes health care today.
We have a new Administration that will likely be approaching health care from a different perspective. Health care is now an economic issue- not just a social issue anymore.
What are your thoughts? What are your ideas to help collaborate, and bring the people and organizations together to help us organize the mess we have today?
We have no doubt that we can do it. We just need to get organized to make it happen.
Our system economically rewards disease treatment rather than disease prevention. This is the structural paradigm we must transform by incentivizing a long term approach to health creation, cradle-to-grave.
ReplyDeleteYou rightly point out that the vast majority of current spending is due to lifestyle choices. Changing personal behavior is no easy task (witness: smoking). As with the subprime bubble, the "disease" bubble we now face has been fueled by greed, short-sightedness, lack of oversight, and personal irresponsibility.
In my view, the optimal core strategy to effect meaningful change is through the use of economic incentives - carrots and sticks. Reward healthy behaviors, punish unhealthy choices. The implications are many.
If this approach is given serious debate, the core issues will revolve around conflicts between personal freedom and privacy versus social responsibility and economic survival.
Can it be done? Yes.
Michael D. Levin
Thanks for your comment. We absolutely agree that incentives are now a key component of consumer engagement that need to be considered. We're working on a project now that is looking and health and wellness from a different perspective. Incentives are a key component in the model we're working on- however, we're also looking at a deeper level of engagement as opposed to just completing some action to receive money or prizes; we know they work- but does a deeper understanding on the part of the consumer to understand their personal role (including healthier lifestyle behaviors) have a role to address the problems we have today. In our view- we've created a very "unhealthy culture" and that is part of the problem we are confronting.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We have an "unhealthy culture". To overcome the structural drivers that fuel this culture is no easy task - doing so would profoundly impact well-entrenched economic stakeholders who have a vested interest in perpetuating the current model.
ReplyDeleteAny insights you could offer as to how to effect needed change (beyond economic incentives for consumers) would be welcomed! Thanks in advance for your thoughtful reply.