.svg)
.svg)
Unlocking 15% Savings: The Critical Role of Patient Activation in Disease Management
Wellinks’ Dr. Abi Sundaramoorthy and Phreesia’s Dr. Christina Suh discuss the importance of activating patients in their care.
In the high-stakes world of healthcare, executives are constantly seeking innovative solutions to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. One of the most powerful yet underutilized strategies is patient activation.
In this informative Q&A (Watch the full interview here), Wellinks' Dr. Abi Sundaramoorthy and Phreesia's Dr. Christina Suh share how empowering patients with COPD and other chronic conditions to manage their health can lead to substantial financial savings and better clinical outcomes.
Explore how patient activation can revolutionize disease management and unlock significant cost savings for your organization.
Key Takeaways:
Massive Cost Savings
A one-level increase in patient activation can reduce downstream healthcare costs by approximately 8%, with a two-level increase leading to a 15% cost reduction.
Improved Health Outcomes
Activated patients experience fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits, leading to better overall health and reduced healthcare utilization.
Strategic Resource Allocation
Understanding patient activation levels allows healthcare providers to deploy resources more effectively, ensuring high-need patients receive the necessary support.
Shanoor Seervai, MPP, Person-Centered Care Research Manager at Phreesia, sat down with two industry experts to discuss the urgent need for healthcare leaders to prioritize patient activation, offering a clear path to substantial cost savings and improved care delivery.
Dr. Abi Sundaramoorthy, MD, MBA, is a practicing physician with over 10 years of experience promoting high-value care for hospital systems and private companies. She is Chief Medical Officer at Wellinks.
Dr. Christina Suh, MD, MPH, is a general pediatrician with over 15 years of experience delivering primary care to low-income children in Aurora, Colorado. She is a Director of Clinical Content at Phreesia.
Q&A:
Seervai: Can you tell us a little about what Wellinks does?
Dr. Sundaramoorthy: Wellinks is a technology-enabled care delivery organization for patients with underlying COPD and cardiopulmonary conditions. We excel in partnering with Medicare Advantage plans and value-based providers to manage COPD and chronic conditions through a specialized approach. Our model integrates virtual pulmonary rehab and tailored clinical coaching, enhancing self-management and overall well-being for patients.
Seervai: Could you explain what patient activation is and why it's important to engage patients in their care?
Dr. Suh: Patient activation is the best-kept secret we have. Patient activation is defined as an individual's knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their own health and care. It's been used for over 20 years and is well-studied across disease conditions and specialties.
"When you can engage a person and help them be more activated, you can help them reach better clinical and health outcomes."
Patient activation is also associated with decreased ED utilization, hospitalization and readmission. More activated patients are also found to be more satisfied with their care.
Seervai: Tell us what the value of patient activation and the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) is to providers.