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One Clinical Area Where Electronic Benefits May Exceed Paper’s Molecules

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko [Publisher-in-Chief]

www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com

One area where technology assessments, clinical guidelines, and especially eMR aggregated data can make a true difference in patient care is in disease management.

The DMAA

The Disease Management Association of America (DMAA) defines disease management as “a system of coordinated health care interventions and communications for populations with conditions in which patient self-care efforts are significant”. 

Disease management supports the physician-patient relationship and places particular significance on the prevention of exacerbations and complications of chronic diseases using evidence-based clinical guidelines and integrating those recommendations into initiatives to empower patients to be active partners with their physicians in managing their conditions.

Disease Targets

Typically, targets for disease management efforts include chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, and heart failure, where patients can be active in self-care and where appropriate lifestyle changes can have a significant favorable impact on illness progression.

Link: Front Matter BoMP – 3

Outcomes Measurement

The DMAA also emphasizes the importance of process and outcomes measurement and evaluation, along with using the data to influence management of the condition.

Assessment

Although claims and administrative data can be used to measure and evaluate selected processes and outcomes, eMRs will be needed to capture the full spectrum of data for analyzing illness response to disease management programs and to support necessary changes in care plans to improve both intermediate outcomes (such as lab values), and long-range goals (such as the prevention of illness exacerbations, managing co-orbidities, and halting the progression of complications).

Is this where eMRs can shine far and above traditional ink and paper medical records?

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Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

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• HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
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• FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
• INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors
• Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance
• Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security
• Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care

Filed under: Information Technology, Quality Initiatives, Research & Development | Tagged: david marcinko, Disease Management, Disease Management Association of America, EMRs, evidence based medicine, evidence-based clinical guidelines, www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com | 1 Comment »