Trading in the ‘Currency’ of Healthcare Data
In my career, I’ve done a little bit of everything, ranging from spearheading pharmacy operations and completing the circle in technology to building data platforms for product development, business intelligence, digital branding, and beyond—all of which are contributing to dramatic transformations in the patient experience of tomorrow.
No doubt that adds a greater level of urgency to what we do today.
Particularly when you consider that data has become its own currency.
John Nosta of FutureDose.Tech, the Pharmacy Podcast Network’s leading authority on technology in pharmacy in healthcare, makes the point that data has emerged “as one of the most powerful and consequential currencies around the globe. Technology, computer processing, cloud storage and artificial intelligence are [transforming] zeroes and ones into insightful—even profound—realizations about almost every aspect of our lives.”
One important way that perspective factors into the larger healthcare picture can be viewed through the lens of chronic care management (CCM). In my view, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to process the data-rich directives that accompany the most complex conditions, helping physicians and patients better connect the dots in healthcare.
That adds power at every step for medication adherence.
And potentially, a giant leap-forward for better outcomes.
Perhaps just as importantly, as more healthcare professionals begin freely trading in patient data, there’s a sense that overall costs may come down. Pharmacists are now engaged in initiating drug therapies, ordering lab work, and performing clinical evaluations under the watchful eyes of partner family practice physicians. As a result, there’s been a direct correlation to healthier bottom lines for participating independents.
That alone is a bargain at any price.
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5 年Meghann Chilcott?, I totally agree. But just as you said 'data is currency', and we know that currency can be corrupted (data being more easier as there is no physical dimension) what are your thoughts to avoid any such scenario and safeguard the system that depends on data? Thanks!
Senior Strategy Consultant - Cybersecurity, Healthcare IT, Risk Management
5 年Totally agree! Pharmacists are uniquely positioned in this rapidly emerging new model of care that is driving more care to the home setting and where the local pharmacist is integrated within the patient's 'community of care' (linking the family, caregivers, pharmacist, clinical staff and physician). Patients with chronic conditions (and their caregivers) tend to visit their local pharmacist much more often than their primary care physician. These are more opportunities for pharmacists to build relationships with their customers/patients where there are opportunities to observe the patient during their visit and perhaps offer a quick assessment of anything that concerns the patient within the pharmacy's private 'minute clinic' where addition data could be gathered to support the patient's care. This additional level of communication with patients is a data gathering opportunity that would naturally catch deteriorating conditions earlier and better inform the treating physician which should reduce the risk of hospitalizations and drive costs out of the system.? Furthermore, if the patient is on a CCM and RPM program, there is opportunity to review the trends of the vitals data that is being gathered from patient's connected devices (BP, glucose, PulseOx, weight, sleep quality, etc) and add notes to the patient's record for later assessment by the patient's PCP. This is where the pharmacists are well positioned to help physicians and patients better connect the dots in healthcare.
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5 年Meghann Chilcott thanks for sharing, very insightful. You always seem to bring your "A-Game."