Last week, moveUP was in Las Vegas, where the orthopedic community gathered for OVBC 2024, probably one of the most inspiring conference of the year.
The conference was chaired by Zeev Kain, who gave insights into the future of healthcare, and the pivotal role of technology in transforming patient outcomes.
First, what is Value based care? The term was introduced in 2006 by Michael Porter from Harvard, as a way to spread competition based on value. Value-based care entails a shift from the traditional fee-for-service model to one that emphasizes improving patient outcomes while controlling costs.
The opening remarks by Tom Jackiewicz, representing the University of Chicago, underscored the urgent need to dismantle the silos within our healthcare systems. An obese chronically depressed patient cannot be cured with a new knee. With Medicare's sustainability in question, Jackiewicz highlighted the transformative potential of AI in reducing healthcare costs and shifting the focus towards what patients truly need.
Frank D. Lee from Pacira pointed out the significant impact AI can have on research and development, improving efficiency, and fostering patient engagement beyond the scope of medication. The core message was clear: Data is the linchpin of scalable, value-based care.
Kevin Bozic, from University of Austin, inspired attendees by referencing influential works and the importance of focusing care on the physician's strengths, thereby ensuring patients receive the most effective treatment. He advocated for a paradigm shift towards measuring health outcomes from the patient's perspective, emphasizing the critical role of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs).
David Jevsevar and Troy Simonson, CEO’s of ASC groups in Virginia and Washington State, emphasized the importance of doing it “the same” rather than trying to doing it “right”, and the gradual evolution towards internal tiering within ASC’s, with compensation based on patient outcomes rather than volume.
PROMs are becoming mandatory in the US as from 1st of July, 2024. All speakers emphasized their critical importance in value based care. This patient-centric data enriches clinical decision-making, ensuring treatments align more closely with individual patient needs and expectation.
Finally, the panel discussions, featuring insights from leaders like Michael Suk & Maxime Cannesson stressed the importance of data, the veracity of data sources, the embrace of digital health and the transition from big data to smart data.
The path ahead is clear: Embrace data, focus on what truly matters to patients, and move boldly towards a future where healthcare is more patient-centered than ever before.
As a conclusion, an inspiring quote from Abraham Maslow :
In any given moment, we have two options: to step forward into growth, or step back into safety.
