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The economic outlook is good for the life sciences sector, but spending may not be on par with the industry’s preparedness to adapt

Is digital transformation just code for inefficient healthcare spending?

Medical Economics Editorial Director Chris Mazzolini and Eve Cunningham, MD, chief of virtual health and digital care at Providence and founder of MedPearl, discuss challenges with patient management and workflow.


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Editor's note: Episode timestamps and transcript produced using AI tools.

Access Challenges in Healthcare (00:00:00)


Discussion on the growing access challenges in healthcare if not addressed.




Keith Reynolds introduces the podcast and its focus on healthcare challenges.




Dr. Eve Cunningham is welcomed to discuss patient management and workflow challenges.



Challenges in Patient Management (00:01:23)


Dr. Cunningham outlines the complexities of patient management and referral decisions for primary care physicians.



Overwhelming Medical Knowledge (00:01:27)


Discussion on the rapid increase of medical knowledge and its impact on clinicians.




Exploration of common referral dysfunctions and the need for optimized transitions.




Real-life examples illustrating the frequent misdirection in patient referrals.




Highlighting the shortage of doctors and its effect on access to care and clinician burnout.




Overview of MedPearl as a solution to the challenges faced by doctors.




Dr. Cunningham shares the story behind the development of MedPearl.



Communication Gaps in Healthcare (00:07:13)


Discussion on the knowledge-sharing gap between primary care and specialists.



Need for Clinician-Centric Technology (00:08:13)


Emphasis on creating technology that supports primary care clinicians effectively.




Description of MedPearl's capabilities and how it aids clinicians at the point of care.




Discussion on a case study highlighting the impact of MedPearl in clinical settings.




Review of pilot results demonstrating Med Pearl's effectiveness in referrals and patient care.




Description of MedPearl's scaling process and its growing user base.

I


Discussion on enhancing referral quality and outcomes through MedPearl.



Burnout and Clinician Efficiency (00:15:10)


Exploration of how MedPearl addresses clinician burnout and improves efficiency.



Importance of Clinician Involvement (00:17:02)


Discussion on why clinician input is essential in developing effective healthcare solutions.




Dr. Cunningham shares upcoming implementations and goals for MedPearl.

The discussion centers on the challenges in patient management and workflow, emphasizing the growing access issues in healthcare. Dr. Eve Cunningham highlights the complexities faced by primary care physicians, including referral dysfunctions and the overwhelming increase in medical knowledge. MedPearl is introduced as a solution to these challenges, offering features that enhance clinician efficiency and improve referral quality. The conversation also addresses the importance of clinician-centric technology and the need for clinician involvement in developing effective healthcare solutions. Future plans for MedPearl's expansion and implementation are also discussed.

Eve Cunningham, MD, chief of virtual health and digital care at Providence and founder of MedPearl, joins the podcast to discuss challenges with patient management and workflow.

Topics

Ep 42: Patient management challenges with Eve Cunningham, MD, of Providence

Social drivers of health: Research and initiatives

Social drivers of health: Effects of COVID-19

Social drivers of health: More attention this year?

Social drivers of health: Integrating new medicines for diabetes and obesity

Social drivers of health: Use of technology

Social drivers of health: Integrating artificial intelligence

Social drivers of health: Food insecurity

 Social drivers of health (SDOH) deal with interconnections among patient health and living conditions such as food security, housing stability, transportation, utilities access, and interpersonal safety.

As physicians look for new ways to help their patients, they may choose to integrate techniques and technologies that are emerging across health care. 

 has become a new leader in this area, launching a multi-year effort to help doctors assist patients with SDOH.

Part 3 of this video series features Physicians Foundation President Gary Price, MD, MBA, and Research Fellow Deborah Rose, MD. They talk about broader trends in health care ranging from research to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the possibility of using artificial intelligence and new antiobesity medications as part of medicine’s armamentarium to treat SDOH.

Be sure to check out the earlier segments in this series:

SDOH: What every physician needs to know about social drivers of health. Part 1: An introduction

SDOH Part 2: What every physician needs to know about social drivers of health - practical steps to integrate SDOH in primary care

Social drivers of health (SDOH) encompass factors like food security, housing, and transportation that impact patient health. Physicians are increasingly integrating emerging techniques and technologies to address these issues. The Physicians Foundation is spearheading efforts to support doctors in managing SDOH. In a video series, experts discuss healthcare trends, including the impact of COVID-19, artificial intelligence, and new antiobesity medications in addressing SDOH. The series aims to educate physicians on understanding and integrating SDOH into primary care practices.

Two experts discuss The Physicians Foundation and its efforts to affect the factors that affect health outside the doctor's office.

SDOH: What every physician needs to know about social drivers of health. Part 3: Unique factors and influences

Discover the strategies that are transforming healthcare practices.

 Learn how top practices are using innovative solutions to optimize patient engagement, reduce costs and increase revenue. Our comprehensive guide, 

"HealthTech Survey: What Specialty Practices are Using to Fuel Profitability,"

 reveals the latest trends and best practices in healthcare technology. 

 to gain valuable insights and unlock the potential of your practice.

Fill out the form below to download the guide:

Healthcare practices are increasingly adopting innovative strategies to enhance patient engagement, reduce operational costs, and boost revenue. A comprehensive guide provides insights into the latest trends and best practices in healthcare technology, offering valuable information for specialty practices aiming to improve profitability. By leveraging these technological advancements, practices can unlock their full potential and achieve significant improvements in efficiency and financial performance. The guide serves as a resource for understanding how top practices are successfully integrating these solutions into their operations.

Discover the strategies that are transforming healthcare practices. Learn how top practices are using innovative solutions to optimize patient engagement, reduce costs and increase revenue. Our comprehensive guide, "HealthTech Survey: What Specialty Practices are Using to Fuel Profitability," reveals the latest trends and best practices in healthcare technology. Download now to gain valuable insights and unlock the potential of your practice.

Resources

HealthTech Survey: What Specialty Practices Use to Fuel Profitability 

 examined the prevailing trends in physician salaries, and private practices are the place to be if you want a better salary.

Private practices continue to offer the highest 

, with physicians witnessing an 8.4% median salary increase from $253,731 in 2022 to $275,072 in 2023. In contrast, hospitals present a mixed picture, showing an average increase of 3.3% but a decrease in median salaries from $252,011 in 2022 to $244,373 in 2023.

While overall, the average physician salary increased by 5.8% from 2022 to 2023, after adjusting for inflation, the buying power for the average doctor's salary rose by approximately 2.5%, surpassing the national average salary increase for all U.S. workers at 4.6%.

However, the recently passed 2024 Physician Fee Schedule introduces a 3.4% conversion factor reduction in Medicare payments, impacting the value of services billed for Medicare coverage. This cut, from $33.89 to $32.74 in the calendar year 2024, raises concerns among doctors, particularly as 36% of their existing patients use Medicare, and 66% of practices accept Medicare.

The survey also examined trends in physician negotiations and supplementary income sources. While 43% of doctors have successfully negotiated higher salaries, 41% have never attempted to negotiate. Additionally, 44% of physicians supplement their income with side work unrelated to their primary practice, with men being more likely to engage in side jobs than women.

 persist, with the median salary for male doctors in 2023 at $284,853 compared to $226,034 for female doctors. Despite a median salary increase of 8% for men, women experienced only a 2.9% increase.

According to the survey, 43% of doctors report that Blue Cross Blue Shield typically pays the most for services, followed by United Healthcare at 21%, and Aetna at 19%.

The survey was conducted in November 2023 among 300 physicians who had been in their current practice at least two years.

Private practices offer the highest physician salaries, with an 8.4% increase in 2023. Hospitals show a mixed trend, with a 3.3% average increase but a decrease in median salaries. Adjusted for inflation, physician salaries rose by 2.5%, outpacing the national average. The 2024 Physician Fee Schedule's 3.4% Medicare payment cut raises concerns, as many practices accept Medicare. Gender pay disparities persist, with male doctors earning significantly more than female doctors. Many physicians supplement income with side work, and Blue Cross Blue Shield is the top payer for services.

Survey shows that on average, physicians in private practice made more money than those working for hospitals

Want more pay? Work for a private practice

Question: Can you tell me the difference between an annual physical and an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)?

 While both types of exams have prevention in mind, there are many differences between them.

An annual physical is a more extensive exam than a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. A typical annual physical is a “hands-on” type of visit, including a physical exam and any blood work or lab tests that may be part of the exam or necessary for the patient’s chronic stable problems.

Alternatively, the AWV is a “hands-off” risk assessment.The purpose of the AWV is to identify gaps in care, improve the quality of care that a provider delivers, and help paint a picture of a patient’s current state of health to create a baseline for future care.

An annual physical exam is an assessment of your body’s health. The primary purpose is to look for health problems.

During the exam, your doctor uses his or her senses – mainly sight, touch and hearing – to gauge how your body is performing. Based on what’s learned, your doctor may ask you to have tests to discover or rule out possible health problems.

The list below shows some of the things a physician may do during a physical exam.

Visually check the patient’s body overall for signs of existing health issues:

Perform an exam of the patient’s eyes, ears, nose and throat for potential problems

Listen to the patient’s heart and lungs to detect irregular sounds

Measure height, weight and blood pressure

Submit or order urine and blood samples for lab testing, for screening purposes and for ongoing chronic conditions

As a rule, Medicare does not cover an annual physical. The exam and any tests your doctor orders are separate services, and you may have costs related to each depending on your Medicare plan.

An annual physical is a comprehensive, hands-on examination focusing on identifying existing health issues through physical exams and lab tests. In contrast, the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a hands-off risk assessment aimed at prevention, updating personalized prevention plans, and identifying care gaps. The AWV includes reviewing health risk assessments, medical history, and behavioral risks, and developing a screening schedule. Medicare covers the AWV and many preventive screenings without copay or deductible, while annual physicals are not typically covered under Medicare.

Can you tell the difference between an annual physical exam and an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)?

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