Author Archive for Matt Handley, MD

A better way to improve member outcomes

By Matt Handley, MD

An X-ray or MRI may show arthritis in a knee, but only the owner of that knee knows whether it hurts enough to merit a joint replacement.

That’s the logic behind Group Health’s effort to involve patients more deeply in their health care decisions. In a process called “shared decision making,” members and their physicians can engage in an active, informed discussion about the benefits—and possible downsides—of a surgical procedure. The goal: health care that reflects a member’s values and priorities, rather than only what a medical diagnosis recommends. Continue reading ‘A better way to improve member outcomes’

Published on March 9, 2011 in Health Care Reform and Quality Health Care. 1 Comment Tags: , .

Meaningful Use

By Matt Handley, MD

The 2009 economic stimulus package included grants and incentives to encourage medical practices to invest in electronic medical records. The legislations required that electronic medical records meet a standard of “meaningful use.” They must be more than converting paper records to digital records. They must improve the quality of care, such as:

  • Improve care coordination
  • Reduce healthcare disparities
  • Engage patients and their families
  • Improve population and public health
  • Ensure adequate privacy and security

The specific standards of meaningful use were defined in June. Continue reading ‘Meaningful Use’

Published on August 6, 2010 in Health Care Reform. 0 Comments