How can you navigate healthcare systems with limited resources?

El análisis de las prioridades más acuciantes o la detección de zonas calientes es fundamental a la hora de redistribuir recursos. Debemos de tener en cuenta que determinados activos pueden ser más complejos o costosos (económicamente) de resolver pero redundan en unos mejores resultados dinamizando la atención médica y ahorrando costes a medio plazo. Es importante seguir una lógica piramidal a la hora de destinar recursos para obtener la máxima rentabilidad, por ejemplo: no tiene sentido adquirir equipación de última generación si no tenemos espacio físico para ubicarla o personal entrenado que sepa sacarle el máximo provecho. Debemos siempre pensar antes en ir cubriendo las necesidades básicas en atención sanitaria de nuestra población.

One thing I’ve learned is ensuring that all stakeholders are working toward a common goal, particularly when resources are limited. This ensures that you optimize your resources and all parties come to a consensus on use of resources to attain the desired outcome.

Prioritizing needs really IS the first step to take in trying to navigate healthcare system when one has limited resources. Having done medical school in a limited resource setting, I can say that it has been ingrained in me to always try to know what is the most essential; what would take the patient from point A to point B in the care continuum, or from diagnostic step 1 to step 2, or therapeutic step 1 to step 2; etc. I thought I would never have to use this skill or at least not as often as I thought I would when I came to the US. However, working everyday with uninsured or cash pay patients who want to maximize their money’s worth, the first thing I do for these patients is prioritize their needs.

One way to optimize budget when one (who is stable on their prescription/s) has a very basic healthcare plan with limited prescription coverage is to just get seen during annual preventative physical exam (which most insurance cover 100% - so usually no copay) and get all the prescription/s refilled at that visit. Then, for prescription/s, try using goodrx.com coupons if your insurance doesn’t cover your medication/s. Sometimes, it can come out cheaper.

Debemos de tener presente que las medidas preventivas redundarán en menores gastos a medio-largo plazo mientras que la optimización de resultados o el análisis de calidad-precio de los productos biosanitarios permiten ahorros más inmediatos. Una buena gestión debe de ir encaminada a la prevención, educación sanitaria que evite el consumo de recursos y la eficiencia de los circuitos clínicos en donde los profesionales son pieza fundamental. El control de los gastos materiales y por proceso van a venir en gran medida enmarcados por los resultados de los profesionales: diagnósticos certeros que disminuyan el no de visitas, menor tasa de complicaciones o estancias postoperatorias cortas redundan en menos costes y mayor calidad asistencial.

Use telehealth. One method is to use asynchronous telemedicine consultation. This is covered by Medicare. This helps provide primary care providers with specialist consultation for their difficult to manage patients and helps retain patients in the system.

Managing healthcare with limited resources entails exploring available options such as public health programs and community clinics, utilizing telehealth for cost-effective consultations, seeking prescription assistance, and negotiating expenses. Emphasizing preventive care, accessing financial aid programs, and staying informed to advocate effectively within the healthcare system are essential strategies.

Some of our dermatologists are booked out months in advance. Fortunately, 1) I have a couple of dermatologist friends and 2) I have procured a dermatoscope. I snap a picture of the skin lesion stumping me with my dermatoscope attached to my phone. I text/send it to my buddies and curbside them - asking if I need to do excision biopsy or leave it alone.

As healthcare professionals working to improve collaboration it is also important to find consensus on prioritizing our collaborative projects. In healthcare strategies and priorities are constantly changing. We have to be intentional about the goal we set and the roadmap we are using to achieve the outcome

Patients with multiple specialists from different systems ordering redundant lab tests done just a few days ago just because the different systems cannot collaborate effectively - what a waste!

I agree. Establishing and strengthening collaborative partnerships is an excellent way to reduce duplication, coordinate resources and drive efficiencies while improving clinical outcomes. A few things to keep on mind. Effective partnerships take time to evolve. Be willing to invest time to get to know your partners, what services they provide, what they’re really good at and how they think you can help. Establish trust and create a culture of continuous learning. Be willing to roll up your sleeps and dig in and don’t be afraid to adopt a collaborative spirit “ we’re in this together warts an all”. You’ll be amazed at the possibilities you begin to see and what you can achieve together.

La educación ciudadana en materia de salud, prevención y consumo de recursos es una asignatura pendiente en muchos países occidentales que cobra mayor relevancia en aquellos con importantes coberturas sanitarias. La educación en materia de prevención debe de ser una prioridad de las autoridades tanto en cuanto se espera una mayor esperanza de vida de la población así como tratamientos más costosos que permiten curar o cronificar patologías con un pronóstico sombrío hace pocos a?os. Los gestores de salud deben de buscar mecanismos válidos para evitar un uso inadecuado de recursos sanitarios y analizar la inversión en función de parámetros objetivos (ACE, AVAC...).

I agree, wholeheartedly with educating patients on their disease process. This will positively impact readmission rates as well as healthcare resource utilization. When patients understand how to manage their disease processes, they are more likely to be compliant with their healthcare regimen. This reduces the number of times one will seek emergent care. Their overall quality of life will improve.

Using an otherwise efficient tool in an inefficient way will wear out that tool. The same with a healthcare worker who is passionate about his/her career. Use him/her in an inefficient manner and he/she will burn out.

Use free resources like CMSA to network and attend meetings to learn of new resources. Build a network of case managers not in your hospital to tap for ideas. Use LinkedIn. Reach out to the organizations of the services you need. Say you need IV at home you could reach out to the American IV Association or the Infusion Nurses Society.