Author Interviews, Cost of Health Care, Health Care Systems / 22.10.2019
High-Needs, High-Cost Patients: Using Value-Based Interventions to Overcome Barriers to Care
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
David S Buck, MD, MPH
Associate Dean of Community Health
Professor, Clinical Sciences
University of Houston - College of Medicine
Houston, TX 77204
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: High-Needs, High-Cost (HNHC) patients account for 5% of the general population and cost 50% of the healthcare spending. In Harris County, one patient alone costed $439,600 in a year when he visited multiple medical, social and behavioral agencies for care. This was a result of siloed systems working independently of each other leading to inefficient care for the patient. By providing coordinated care, using patient-centered goals and values, we are able to better engage and provide a holistic approach to patient care.
This paper introduces a novel ‘values-based’ intervention mechanism for the HNHC patients, in addition to a coordinated care management approach, through a single record system. The findings indicate an improved daily functioning of the HNHC patients over 4 months, improved relationship between the providers and the patients and moderate well-being scores.
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