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Real value: A strategy for interventional cardiologists to lead healthcare reform
Author(s) -
Duffy Peter L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
catheterization and cardiovascular interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1522-726X
pISSN - 1522-1946
DOI - 10.1002/ccd.25159
Subject(s) - medicine , citation , value (mathematics) , coronary artery disease , health care , library science , cardiology , law , machine learning , computer science , political science
Cardiovascular care accounts for 43% of every healthcare dollar spent in the United States [1] and, therefore, has become a major focus of cost control. Accordingly, services that interventional cardiologists provide are seen as targets for reducing costs. To address this challenge we must prove that we add real value to our healthcare system. It is no longer good enough for us to just do our work and expect it to be appreciated. We must define what real value means and show that we deliver it consistently. In the words of former Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY), “If you’re not taking part, you’ll be taken apart.” [2] Taking part means bringing something tangible to the discussion. We must actively demonstrate our value in the present and our strategy for the future. While the practice of medicine is an art, the delivery of healthcare is a business. Businesses are rewarded for outcomes – not effort. We will not be rewarded for past successes – be they lower incidences of death from heart disease or shorter door-to-balloon times. We will be rewarded only when we also find solutions for the ongoing problems of waste, medical errors, cost and issues related to patient satisfaction that continue to plague the U.S. healthcare delivery system.