Tools for Patients: Data, Technology, and Communication in Patient-Centered Care

September 21, 2015

This briefing, the third in a series on creating a more consumer-friendly and patient-centered health care system, delved into the issues that patients face as they make decisions about their health care. It explored questions such as: What does it mean for patients to be engaged in their care? What information and tools are available to empower patients to make treatment decisions and manage their care? What are the respective roles of technology, the doctor-patient relationship, and the health care system as a whole in helping patients navigate their care?

KEY BRIEFING POINTS
If you were unable to attend the briefing, here are some key takeaways: 
Benjamin Moulton, Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy at the Informed Medical Decisions Foundation
Shared decision-making is the pinnacle of patient-centered care, Ben Moulton stated. Patients often make different decisions when they are fully involved, as opposed to when they are not properly informed, he added.

Niall Brennan, Chief Data Officer and the Director of the Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics, CMS
Data is essential for analyzing the full continuum of care for beneficiaries, Niall Brennan said. CMS started releasing large datasets in 2013 that include hospital inpatient charge and utilization data, outpatient data, physician scope of practice, and prescribing patterns of physicians in the Medicare Part D program.

Robin Gelburd, President of FAIR Health
Robin Gelburd emphasized that consumers are now center stage with increased decision-making. She added, however, that unless data has clarity, it can be meaningless to the consumer.

Tim Skeen, Vice President of Marketplace Solutions in the Information Technology division of Anthem
Consumers need comprehensive interaction of data and insights they can believe in, Tim Skeen said. Mobile improvements and digital channels are improving transparency and consumer engagement, he continued.

Ed Howard of the Alliance for Health Reform moderated the panel discussion.

Follow the Briefing on Twitter: #Tools4Patients

Contact: (202)789-2300

The event was organized by the nonpartisan Alliance for Health Reform in partnership with the National Consumers League and support from Anthem, Inc.
Event description goes here

Transcript

Full Transcript (Adobe Acrobat PDF)

Speaker Presentations

Ben Moulton Presentation (Adobe Acrobat PDF)

Niall Brennan Presentation (Adobe Acrobat PDF)

Robin Gelburd Presentation (Adobe Acrobat PDF)

Tim Skeen Presentation (Adobe Acrobat PDF)

Event Details

Agenda (Adobe Acrobat PDF)
Speaker Biographies (Adobe Acrobat PDF)

Event Resources