2011 Dartmouth Atlas Project Report
The Dartmouth Atlas Project is, perhaps, the pre-eminent healthcare policy data source in this country. Thousands of healthcare policy leaders rely upon the excellent information contained in the Dartmouth publications. In short, the report reviews continuity and discontinuity in the healthcare delivery system nationally relying upon the notion that certain facilities or providers provide the best medical care for the lowest cost. Typically, the Mayo Clinic is viewed as the paradigm. The newest report, (see the link below for access to the report), highlights patient decision making in healthcare basically detailing how specific conditions are diagnosed and treated in a best practice environment. In short, Dartmouth points out the vast problem of unwarranted practice deviation and discontinuity in the healthcare world. All of us are striving toward benefit plans and incentives which encourage consumerism, informed decision making, lower costs and continuity of care. This piece highlights specific conditions and diagnosis where treatments require a choice on the part of the patient. This piece will contribute to your repertoire of reference materials. I encourage you to read it and to share it. Click the underlined link below for access. Jeff
Subject: New preference-sensitive surgery report
A new Dartmouth Atlas report, Improving Patient Decision-Making in Health Care: A 2011 Dartmouth Atlas Report Highlighting Minnesota, examines the wide variations in elective surgery rates among Medicare patients with similar conditions. In addition to analyzing data on practice patterns, the report also advocates for shared decision-making, a process that helps patients understand their choices fully and allows them to share treatment decisions with their clinicians. The report also describes the treatment choices available for several preference-sensitive conditions, all of which can—but do not have to be—treated with surgery, as well as steps patients can take to make sure they get the care they want and need.
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