VBC in Today’s Climate
Imagine a healthcare system where patients are active participants and have the autonomy to make informed decisions based on the care they would like to receive. This can be a reality through the framework of value-based care (VBC) which puts patients at the center of their healthcare journey. Key principles of value-based care and patient engagement work together for patient and practice success.
The Relevance of VBC to Patients
The shift from FFS to VBC also reflects patient priorities. There are many reasons why VBC and value-based payment models are more beneficial to patients.
- Healthcare Costs – In the FFS model, patients are charged for every service that is performed regardless of its relevance to their treatment plan outcome which can lead to higher healthcare costs for patients. With the VBC model, a more cost-effective alternative is proposed as by reducing unnecessary tests and focusing on reducing preventable recurring visits, patients are not billed as much. It is more sustainable and cost-effective for patients.
- Advancements in Technology – The integration of technology presents ways to track patient data and information to better analyze the overall care the patient is receiving. VBC uses technology to facilitate communication and individualize care plans through data analytics and electronic health records (EHR). For patients, this means their care is tracked diligently to ensure the best methods are used to treat their problems.
- Accessibility – Some patients are not able to come in to their healthcare provider on a reoccurring basis due to health, mobility, or geographical constraints. VBC addresses this by using technology to enable remote care delivery through telehealth and remote patient monitoring. Thus, VBC ensures that patients are getting the care they need from the comfort of their homes.
- Innovation – In the FFS model, healthcare providers can go through many, many tests trying to check off which ones they have not administered if one did not work. In the VBC model, since healthcare providers are compensated for the value of the care, they must explore new care models and approaches they may not have tried before but are tailored to the patient’s needs. These approaches help introduce new advancements in healthcare delivery and focus on creating the most effective treatments for patients.
Key Principles of VBC for Patients
Having looked at the relevance that VBC offers to patients, we can also touch upon some fundamental principles of VBC.
- Care Coordination – VBC heavily emphasizes collaboration between healthcare providers and patients. This is seen when primary care providers and specialists work together to create and deliver comprehensive care specific to the patient. This coordination of efforts allows the care to be delivered in an organized and burden-free way.
- Patient-Centered – The needs and goals of patients are of utmost importance within VBC. By involving patients within their care, listening to their perspectives, and creating care plans with them, an environment of engagement is fostered. This builds trust and respect between patients and providers while enhancing their well-being.
- Prevention and Early Intervention – VBC also focuses on preventing problems before they arise. This proactive approach aims to keep patients healthy and out of the hospital. Providers invest in screenings, assessments, and lifestyle interventions to identify and address any potential issues before they escalate. By intervening promptly, VBC improves patient outcomes and saves them money by avoiding costly complications.
How does Patient Engagement Relate to VBC Success?
Since VBC is built on the principle of patient-centric care, patient engagement is important to embrace as a key capability. There are various reasons why patient engagement is vital to the success of VBC.
- Reducing Risk – If patients are engaged in their care, they are more likely to take proactive steps to manage their health and mitigate any potential risks. They can make informed decisions and prevent complications to improve their health outcomes. In VBC if patients are already engaged in their treatment plans, they can better manage any arising problems, let providers know, and in return providers can offer the best course of action, preventing the issue from escalating.
- Meeting Quality Measures – Engaged patients play a crucial role in meeting quality measures by adhering to treatment plans, attending appointments, and actively participating in preventive care initiatives. Therefore, patient engagement leads to better outcomes for patients and the providers that have put in place measurable outcomes.
- Keeping Patients Informed – Patients that understand the information and resources given to them by healthcare providers can make better health decisions. By being engaged in their care, its progress, and what is being done to meet their goals, they can better manage their conditions and prevent any complications due to misinformation or misconceptions.
- Loyalty – If patients understand the care providers are administering, they are more likely to remain loyal to those providers due to trust and respect. With value-based care in healthcare, providers make sure patients are heard and valued. Patients that are engaged are more likely to continue seeking care, leading to better continuity of care and long-term relationships.
Patient Engagement and Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
For patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare, they must be provided with the necessary resources and information. EHR’s help solve this by providing numerous benefits that can be used to treat and manage chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and obesity. For example, EHR’s can be leveraged to:
- Share information with your patients – EHR’s allow you to provide clinical summaries, reminders, educational resources, and follow-up care that is accurate and detailed.
- Communicate with patients – EHR’s allow you to communicate proactively with your patients’ schedules, through e-mails, and additional outreach to improve care quality.
- Manage and collect information to engage patients – EHR’s allow you to gather information to identify at-risk patients and other important patient data using patient lists.
Patient Engagement Key Takeaways
Having effective patient engagement depends on various factors and considerations. We can address two main ways to increase patient engagement.
- Deliver information that patients can comprehend, addresses, and ask for clarity from. There must be a focus on education between and to health care providers and patients. Both parties should be knowledgeable about care options, treatments, and plans that are available to make informed decisions based on accurate information. Even practitioners themselves should be knowledgeable about the importance of engaging their patients and adapt accordingly. For example, evidence has shown that in consultations, health care professionals often use technical jargon or language which may act as a barrier to communication with the patient.
- Prioritize patient care outside clinical settings. Patients should be engaged in their healthcare across various settings. Therefore, attention should be paid to where and how healthcare services are administered depending on the patient’s needs. Providers should consider extending care beyond clinical settings with tools such as remote patient monitoring, telehealth etc. Looking at accessibility, patient ability to travel, and treatment plans (i.e. if they have one or more chronic disease) patients should be cared for on a continuous basis. Make it easy for patients to make an appointment, get reminders, and easily fill out and access any needed forms. Check in with patients after their visit, have follow-ups as needed, and check in with their care plans.
Challenges of Implementing VBC and Patient Engagement
Implementing VBC represents a transformative shift in healthcare, one that places patients at the forefront of care. However, this approach comes with its own set of challenges, particularly with technology.
VBC relies heavily on advanced data analytics to measure care efficiency and patient outcomes. This necessitates the use of data software capable of collecting, analyzing, and sharing data effectively to optimize patient outcomes. Given the large volume of data involved, providers must navigate the complexities of recording, accessing, sharing, and interpreting this information. Thus, providers must find solutions that accurately measure and define outcomes. This is because, if data is misrepresented or incomplete, it may hinder patient care and decrease the effectiveness of the treatment plan. Having tools that are able to record and analyze data allows providers to address care gaps and predict at risk patients. This allows for the best personalized care plan to be developed to help resolve patient conditions and prevent complications.
Solutions and the Future of Value-Based Care
To successfully transition to a VBC approach, physicians need to be equipped with the best tools and technologies to streamline workflow, enhance collaboration between providers, and ensure interoperability. With the right support, practices can expand their outreach and deliver the best patient-centered care. At MDLand, we’re dedicated to empowering healthcare providers to overcome the challenges of VBC and thrive in the evolving healthcare landscape.
MDLand’s iClinic® solution is VBC-ready, providing tools and resources to help close care gaps and track patient data. Our fully certified health record (EHR) is designed to help physician groups and organizations of all sizes to improve performance and productivity. For small to medium-sized practices MDLand offers iClinic® Professional, and for larger physician groups MDLand offers iClinic® Enterprise. Both versions support and work to enhance the quality of care delivered to patients to succeed within a value-based healthcare environment.
When it comes to patient engagement – a critical component of VBC success – MDLand offers a range of digital healthcare solutions aimed at ensuring patients receive the attention they deserve, leading to greater satisfaction and improved health outcomes. For example, the Patient Engagement 2.0 module allows tailored access to care with resources that foster better outcomes by keeping your patients informed and proactive in their health care journey. Services like Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) further assist with care management and keeping track of patient quality of care.
Ready to Elevate Your Practice with VBC and Patient Engagement?
Discover how MDLand’s digital health solutions and iClinic® can transform your practice and propel you toward VBC success. Learn more about our patient engagement solutions here and explore the capabilities of iClinic® in supporting VBC here.