A recent article in JAMA highlights the significant challenges the U.S. health care system faces right now, including rising health care costs, health disparities among different populations, and the impact of chronic illnesses and disabilities on families and communities - on top of the collective burdens of "structural inefficiencies" and "administrative requirements."
To explore possible solutions to these very large challenges, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has launched an initiative called Vital Directions for Health and Health Care, which is designed to "consider practical and achievable priorities essential to the nation’s health and fiscal integrity." NAM is seeking to change the way health care is managed and delivered in our country, emphasizing better health and well-being, high-value health care, and strong science and technology.
With four key action priorities, including paying for value, empowering people, activating communities, and connecting care, as well as a focus on necessary infrastructure changes, NAM wants to demonstrate that "prioritizing the nation’s health through strong leadership and strategic investment is both possible and imperative for all Americans to reach their full potentials for health and well-being."
Delaware is at the forefront of this movement towards a transformation of the health care delivery system with its creation of the Delaware Center for Health Innovation (DCHI). Envisioning a Delaware where people are healthier because the process of getting and using healthcare services is better, DCHI is instrumental in guiding the implementation of the State Health Care Innovation Plan and advancing the Quadruple Aim (better health, improved patient experience, improved provider experience, and affordable and sustainable care). In relationship to NAM's four key priorities and emphasis on infrastructure needs, DCHI is focusing on:
Moving 90 percent of providers and 80 percent of Delawareans to a value-based payment model by 2019
Creating 10 regional "Healthy Neighborhoods" across the state to address social determinants of health and engage citizens more in their healthcare decisions
Developing a sustainable pipeline of healthcare providers through partnerships with state and regional educational institutions, and designing training modules to ensure all clinical staff provided with resources to support practice transformation
Strengthening the role of primary care providers to ensure better and more pervasive care coordination for patients
With a goal of making Delaware one of the five healthiest states in the country, DCHI is positively transforming the way health care is delivered to all Delawareans through solid leadership and innovative practices. Stay up to date with DCHI's progress opting in for communications.
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