Showing posts with label correct. Show all posts
Showing posts with label correct. Show all posts
Accountable Care Organizations Can Improve Population Health If They Use The Correct Definition
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
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| The right definition was there all along! |
The Disease Management Care Blog says the article is what is muddled and that the readers of JAMA deserve better.
According to the authors, after the Affordable Care Act launched the Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), their stated purpose has morphed from Health-System Ver. 2.0 controlling the chronic care costs of their assigned patients to Health System Ver. 3.0 collaboratively addressing "population health" for an entire geography.
Between the here of "improving chronic care" and the there of "population health," Drs Noble and Casalino believe ACOs are going to have to confront the additional burdens of preventive care, social services, public health, housing, education, poverty and nutrition. That makes the authors wonder if the term "population health" in the context of ACOs is unclear. If so, that lack of clarity could ultimately lead naive politicians, policymakers, academics and patients to be disappointed when ACOs start reporting outcomes that are limited to chronic conditions.
In short, they dont believe ACOs, as currently configured, are up to the new task. Thats because ACOs would need to collaborate with social service organizations, be responsible for a geographically defined service area and improve long term public health outcomes. According to the authors subtitle, the answer to the question "should they try" is "no."
The Disease Management humbly disagrees. Thats because Drs Noble and Casalino, the editors of JAMA and the manuscripts peer reviewers seem to be ignorant of the the correct definition of population health. Its right there on the Care Continuum Alliances web site, in this longstanding page that describes the "population health model of care." When the DMCB did a simple Google search on "population health definition," it had little difficulty finding the link.
The CCA helpfully describes population health as:
a delivery model characterized as a physician-guided health care delivery system designed to develop and engage informed and activated patients over time to address both illness and long term health.
Was that so hard?
And how is that accomplished? According to the CCA, the ingredients to that make for population health include:
• Population identification strategies and processes;
• Comprehensive needs assessments that assess physical, psychological, economic, and environmental needs;
• Proactive health promotion programs that increase awareness of the health risks associated with certain personal behaviors and lifestyles;
• Patient-centric health management goals and education which may include primary prevention, behavior modification programs, and support for concordance between the patient and the primary care provider;
• Self-management interventions aimed at influencing the targeted population to make behavioral changes;
• Routine reporting and feedback loops which may include communications with patient, physicians, health plan and ancillary providers;
• Evaluation of clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes on an ongoing basis with the goal of improving overall population health
Accordingly, if an CMS-contracted ACO can identify its assigned Medicare population, perform needs assessments, promote awareness of health risks, offer education as well as support, increase self management, use data feedback and evaluate outcomes, its offering "population health." By using that playbook, an ACO will capitalizing on the experience of a community of population health service providers that have been doing precisely this for over a decade.
This vision is far more compact than the overreaching, misinformed and muddled definition of "population health" offered in JAMA. It is also, if ACOs invest in the right resources and partnerships, well within reach.
The DMCBs answer to the question "Should they try?" is "yes."
Choosing the Correct Weight Loss Plan
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
(Article first published as Choosing the Best Permanent Weight Loss Diet on Technorati.)
Many people proclaim to have the best diet or lifestyle plan to achieve permanent weight loss, yet nearly 95% of those who begin a new dietary program fail to hit their goal or keep the weight off for good. To a large extent genetics are to blame, as the basic survival mechanism which has allowed us to thrive for generations is also to blame for our weight loss failures.
Drink Water Before Each Meal
Research now confirms that one of the simplest methods for healthy weight loss may offer hope to the millions who struggle with their weight, and is simple and inexpensive. Research presented to the American Chemical Society shows that drinking 2 cups of water right before each meal is enough to help dieters lose an additional 5 pounds over a 90 day period.
Information from this study concludes that the water is enough to fill the stomach before eating so you feel full and don’t over eat. Experts advise everyone to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day, as this supports healthy liver function and is essential for proper fat metabolism.
Drink More Water, Less Diet Drinks
Another benefit from drinking water before each meal is that it helps eliminate the temptation to drink sweetened beverages or diet drinks which are known to sabotage weight loss efforts. Water before meals is a great way to stimulate weight loss with minimal effort, but in order to achieve permanent results, you need to make the correct choice between quick weight loss plans and a sustainable fat burning program.
Quick Weight Loss Plan
There are certain circumstances when you may need to resort to a quick weight loss plan. Nutritional experts warn that rapid weight loss is not the way to drop those extra pounds as they typically involve diet pills or meals which are nutritionally imbalanced and exclude important food groups.
People look to rapid weight loss programs so they can look good for a special event or to fit into a favorite bathing suit. While these may be good reasons to begin your weight loss journey, it’s important to avoid commercially marketed fat burning pills and synthetic metabolism boosters. Some may deliver quick results, but the weight loss cannot be sustained and these artificial supplements will damage your health in the long term.
Permanent Weight Loss Program
A fat burning weight loss plan is the only method which will deliver healthy weight reduction. Quick weight loss schemes help you to lose water and muscle mass, neither of which leads to sustainable weight reduction for life. The best way to drop weight and burn fat is to follow a sensible, reduced calorie diet and compliment with regular physical activity.
Plan to lose between 1 and 2 pounds each week. If you find yourself losing more weight, then increase your calories, as weight lost too quickly is a sign that you’re wasting precious muscle tissue and not actually burning body fat. Men need 1800 calories per day, while women should plan for 1500 calories. Ensure that your menu is well balanced, including healthy options from all food groups and concentrated with plenty of fresh leafy greens and vegetables.
The most common weight loss mistake is losing weight too rapidly. Once you’ve made the decision to begin a new weight loss lifestyle, weight yourself twice each week and keep a chart of your progress, making sure that you don’t drop too fast. Stay away from damaging diet pills and fad diets, in favor of healthy meal options. You’ll enjoy the health benefits of a well planned, steady weight reduction program leading to permanent and sustainable weight loss for life.
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