High Cost of Healthcare, Future of Private Practice, and Drones! Your #Kareochat Recap

The past few weeks of #KareoChats (Thursdays at 9 a.m. Pacific) have presented us with opportunities to discuss a variety of topics geared toward the future of healthcare. From the value of integrating drones, to how private practices may adapt moving forward, and how the cost of healthcare could be impacted by all that and more. We thank our recent hosts for moderating these insightful conversations. Check out the last few weeks of highlights below!

Drones in Healthcare: Lessons from Harvey and Irma

Host: Chuck Webster @WareFLO

As our host Chuck Webster noted to us: “Imagine ordering fresh food, clothing and batteries from Amazon, while sitting on your roof due to a flood. Imagine, lying on your roof in the dark and cold and rain, and being addressed by a friendly drone offering assistance. Imagine that drone calling in a big brother drone, large enough to airlift you to safety. Imagine waterproof drones fanning out and sampling floodwaters for unhealthy substances and organisms. Imagine being a quadriplegic and being able to fly like Superman, remotely piloting a drone while wearing telepresence goggles.” As far-fetched as these ideas might seem, they’re being worked on at this very moment. As Hurricane Harvey and Irma came bearing down, we started taking note of drones in use, or areas where drones could have been (and perhaps in the future, will be!) helpful tools.

Q4 Think of implications for homecare & adherence, if #drones integrated into those systems, basically can't run out of stuff! #Kareochat

— Chuck Webster MDMSMS (@wareFLO) September 14, 2017

A4-The skies would be full of humming & fly bys, drone accidents would be common, but I love the idea of fast delivery #KareoChat

— CP Nerve Center (@Cpnervecenter) September 14, 2017

A5: Give them the option to register themselves when they buy a drone and get a license so its regulated, but available to them #KareoChat

— Vanessa Carter (@_FaceSA) September 14, 2017

A4 'bout as disruptive as universal health care including Rx & dental with lower taxes, and as likely #kareochat

— David Harlow (@healthblawg) September 14, 2017

Awesome report: use of #drones by emergency services https://t.co/WHL12DPSec finding people, dropping supplies #HITsm #HCLDR #kareochat pic.twitter.com/6IQAWkLaIQ

— Chuck Webster MDMSMS (@wareFLO) September 14, 2017

 

The Future of Private Practice

Host: Dr. Tom Giannulli  @DrTom_Kareo

What do independent and private practices have to offer to healthcare and to patients that is better than a larger hospital network? Turns out plenty! We called in our own Dr. Tom to host this #KareoChat, and we looked at the current trends and factors in private medicine, as well as the inherit benefits (and yes, even challenges) of private practice.

Can the small practice compete with enterprise medicine? What are some benefits?

The small practice has the advantage of creating long term relationships that span patient insurance transition
#kareochat

— Dr. Tom Giannulli (@drtom_kareo) September 21, 2017

Yes, using HIT, but IMO #MeaningfulUse had opposite effect, forcing many independent docs 2 joins health systems due 2 HIT issues #KareoChat https://t.co/uxskATs5hi

— Chuck Webster MDMSMS (@wareFLO) September 21, 2017

Several studies show patient sat scores higher with small practice vs large enterprise care in some segments #kareochat

— Dr. Tom Giannulli (@drtom_kareo) September 21, 2017

A2 Small practices are of a much more intimate relationship as opposed to the cold-emotion climate of larger offices #KareoChat https://t.co/SvyywVmjlz

— Lisa Davis Budzinski (@lisadbudzinski) September 21, 2017

And the challenges?

A3 Lacking a sort of "one-stop shop" convenience for the patient. #kareochat

— Melissa VanHouten (@melissarvh) September 21, 2017

large enterprise is data driven, and drives efficiency at the cost of soft benefits that don't show up in the analytics #kareochat

— Dr. Tom Giannulli (@drtom_kareo) September 21, 2017

If handled properly, tech can narrow the quality gap for lg enterprise & expand access & engagement for small providers #KareoChat

— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 21, 2017

 

The High Cost of Healthcare

Host: Melissa VanHouton @Melissarvh  

As we learned via our host Melissa, Right Care Alliance (formed by the Lown Institute) is a grassroots organization of patients, physicians, and other interested healthcare representatives. Each year, they sponsor “Right Care Action Week,” an event designed to radically transform healthcare into a system which is effective, affordable, accessible and desirable to patients and healthcare professionals alike.

This year’s theme, “The High Cost of Healthcare,” inspired this #KareoChat. It resonates with patients who are burdened by ever-rising healthcare costs and who struggle to pay high insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses as well as with physicians who seek solutions for those patients – that is, innovative solutions which keep healthcare affordable without sacrificing quality care.

How can providers help keep costs down?

I think the patients are king, if there are choices, pts can drive change and demand their insurance and providers offer value, #kareochat

— Dr. Tom Giannulli (@drtom_kareo) September 28, 2017

A4 Docs can refrain from scheduling unnecessary tests & appointments – avoid duplication; stress prevention; advocate 4 patient. #kareochat

— Melissa VanHouten (@melissarvh) September 28, 2017

A5 IMO healthtech will help lower costs. And Get every clinic the same patient info & stop repeating things #kareochat

— CP Nerve Center (@Cpnervecenter) September 28, 2017

Which topic stood out to you the most? And which topics would you like us to add into the mix moving forward? Tweet us @GoKareo #KareoChat and join us every Thursday at 9 a.m. (Pacific time) for our weekly forum on healthcare, technology and practice management topics facing independent practices. Want to host a chat or write a blog post? Email us at [email protected]!