By Michael P. Broxterman, Chief Operating Officer
The Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Health Care 20/20 event took place on October 28, 2016 and led hundreds of the area’s top healthcare executives through two panel discussions on healthcare innovation. The half-day event concluded with an hour-long discussion with The Home Depot co-founder and Atlanta philanthropist Bernie Marcus, during which he candidly shared his concerns and hopes for the future of medicine.
There is certainly no shortage of media attention highlighting the trials of our modern healthcare system. Listening to Bernie Marcus talk with the kind of frankness that only an 87-year old, ultra-successful, self-made billionaire and Atlanta philanthropist can get away with made for one interesting morning!
Not shy to share his views about the Affordable Care Act and the FDA’s drug approval process, the legacy he’s building is admirable. Having been denied entrance to medical school due to the anti-Semitism present in America at the time, it’s easy to recognize the irony of it all. As a 10-year-old child, Marcus knew he wanted to be a doctor so he could help people live better lives. While he obviously walked a different path, the work of his foundation has likely contributed to more people living better lives than he ever could have accomplished as a doctor.
Prior to Marcus reminding us that healthcare is first and foremost about caring for people; it’s an industry deep in transformation. The day’s panelists shed light on some of the most critical struggles and what it’s going to take to advance healthcare innovation in a sustainable manner.
Healthcare innovation in practice—Top physician leaders answer the tough questions
The morning’s first panel discussion featured c-level physician leaders from Grady Health System, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Piedmont Hospital, Emory Healthcare and Gwinnett Medical Center. Despite the challenges in modern healthcare, there was clear recognition of the positive changes in recent years. Although, there was also agreement on what needs to change for healthcare delivery to improve.
Question: What are the biggest challenges facing healthcare today?
Takeaways:
- Disconnect between reimbursement models and accountable care. Several of the panelists discussed the challenges of operating in a confusing landscape where providers are predominantly being reimbursed under a fee-for-service arrangement, while being pushed towards population health and outcomes. One of the panelists even referred to the current landscape as living in a schizophrenic world.
- EHR Systems adversely affect doctor/patient relationships and continue to remain less than user-friendly. A panelist summarized how tragic it is that EHR systems aren’t user-friendly and integrated in a way that improves outcomes, especially since they’ve been on the market for more than 20 years. Plus, while patients increasingly express frustration that physicians spend more time on the computer during an exam than they do caring for them, the panelists reminded the audience that the arrangement isn’t favorable for them either.
Question: What needs to change in order to provide more innovative and compassionate healthcare?
Takeaways:
- Physician shortage combined with aging population requires a more efficient approach to caring for different populations. With 5 percent of the population generating 49 percent of the healthcare costs, being able to use population health data to determine groups with the highest risks is increasingly important. Healthcare IT infrastructure will remain a priority.
- Significant upgrades to EHR systems are needed to improve workflow and support team-based care. There was wide agreement that EHR systems aren’t effectively improving outcomes and the mounting frustrations are contributing to physician burnout and lower patient satisfaction scores.
The healthcare industry isn’t alone in its need for accelerated innovation. Even though frustration over complicated and heavy regulation continues to exist, especially with the FDA approval process, there is no field more inspiring than healthcare. The advancements we’ve witnessed are nothing short of miraculous. So much of what was once incurable is now treatable. Regardless of the challenges to come, innovation is a mainstay and more people will live better lives. That’s hope.
NOVEMBER IS PANCREATIC CANCER MONTH
A personal note from John Couvillon, CEO, Pinnacle Health Group
I have some very exciting news to share with you today. As many know, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2014. Having completed my treatment the day prior to Thanksgiving two years ago, it is never lost on me how blessed I am to be healthy and in complete remission.
It’s now my privilege and mission to join the fight in eradicating this cancer. With full support from my family, friends and the entire Pinnacle team, I will be launching a new foundation named Destroy Pancreatic Cancer. Through the foundation, we’ll provide education about pancreatic cancer, give hope to those affected and raise funds to support the research that is needed to save lives. I look forward to sharing more with you soon.
During my treatment, my 10-year old daughter wrote an award-winning poem for a school competition that I’d like to share with you. Inspiring hope and filled with wisdom, she reminded me that as long as there is suffering, we must strive to come together as one to overcome it.
“Reaching Victory”
Peace is unity.
When the world comes together like brothers and sisters,
we will know there will be peace.
When the world comes together like one family,
the world will know we’ve reached victory.
Thank you for the support you offered me through my battle with pancreatic cancer. There are no words to express how much it meant to me. I hope you’ll join me as I strive to pay it forward, so that one day, we can say we’ve reached victory in DESTROYING PANCREATIC CANCER! 