Measuring impact, shaping policy
- TRANSFORMERS.health
- October 24, 2023
- DIGITAL MATURITY
- expertlab
- 0 Comments
Berlin, Germany & Dubai, UAE – At the GCC eHealth Workforce Development Conference, Prof. Dr. Volker E. Amelung established a crucial link between value-based healthcare and digital maturity. He delved into the core concept of value-based care, which is encapsulated in the formula: value equals outcomes divided by cost. This approach, he argued, is the “business case for quality in healthcare.”
Value-based healthcare is grounded in six key elements, according to Amelung:
- Integrated practice units: Focused healthcare delivery models.
- Outcome measurement: Assessing healthcare effectiveness from an individual perspective.
- Bundled payments: Encouraging efficiency through financial models.
- Integrated care: Fostering collaboration across healthcare disciplines.
- Geographic reach: Expand excellent services across community/region.
- Enabled information technology platforms: Leveraging digital systems for better healthcare delivery.
Amelung emphasized the intricacies of measuring outcomes, noting the significant impact of external factors like social determinants of health. The challenge lies in ensuring that healthcare systems contribute positively to outcomes without succumbing to risk selection biases.
Digital maturity and quality management
Digital maturity models play a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare quality. Amelung highlighted the use of these models in public reporting and health literacy. By making healthcare performance transparent, patients are empowered to make informed decisions. Moreover, these models offer healthcare providers benchmarks to improve services.
Turning to Germany’s Digital Radar model, Amelung described its practical implementation in assessing the digital maturity of German hospitals. This approach started with utilizing existing technologies and adapting them to local conditions. The model has successfully included over 1,600 hospitals, offering a comprehensive view of the digital landscape in German healthcare.
“Embracing digital health is not just an option; it’s a necessity for the future of patient-centered care.”
Prof. Dr. Volker E. Amelung
Impact on healthcare providers and policy
For healthcare providers, the DigitalRadar serves as a tool for self-assessment and benchmarking, guiding strategic decisions and internal communication. It also aids in demonstrating the need for further investment in digitalization to hospital management.
From a policy perspective, models like the Digital- Radar bring transparency to healthcare systems, allowing governments to assess the impact of healthcare reforms effectively. The ultimate goal is to enable patients to make smarter healthcare choices, similar to how one might choose a hotel or restaurant.
Professor Amelung concluded by underscoring the necessity of viewing healthcare systems from an investment perspective, fostering intrinsic motivation among healthcare professionals. The journey towards digital maturity in healthcare is long, but essential steps like the DigitalRadar model pave the way for more patient-centered, outcome-focused healthcare systems.
