Comparison of Moderna Versus Pfizer-Biontech COVID-19 Vaccine Outcomes: A Target Trial Emulation Study In the U.S. Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

Choice Matters: How Healthcare Consumers Make Decisions (and Why Clinicians and Managers Should Care) is a timely and thoughtful exploration of the controversial role of consumers in the U.S. healthcare system. In most markets today, consumers have more options and autonomy than ever before. Empowered consumers easily shop around for products and services that better meet their needs, and they widely share their reviews on social media to inform and influence other consumers. Businesses have responded with better experiences and prices to compete for consumers’ business. Though healthcare has lagged behind other industries in this respect, there is a rising tide of interest in consumer choice and empowerment in healthcare markets. However, most healthcare provider organizations, individual doctors, and health insurers are unprepared to consider patients as consumers. The authors draw upon the fields of medicine, marketing, management, psychology, and public policy as they take a substantive, in-depth look at consumer choice and point out its appropriate use, as well as its limitations. This book addresses perplexing issues, such as how healthcare differs from other consumer-driven markets, how consumers make healthcare decisions, and how increased consumer choice in healthcare can not only aid and empower American consumers but also improve the overall healthcare system.

Download Full-text

Pre-procedural barriers to accessing novel treatments for aortic stenosis among racial/ethnic minorities in the veterans affairs healthcare system

American Heart Journal Plus: Cardiology Research and Practice ◽

10.1016/j.ahjo.2021.100029 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 100029

Author(s):

Ashwini Kerkar ◽

Santosh Gummidipundi ◽

Paul A. Heidenreich ◽

Celina M. Yong

Keyword(s):

Aortic Stenosis ◽

Ethnic Minorities ◽

Healthcare System ◽

Veterans Affairs ◽

Novel Treatments ◽

Racial Ethnic

Download Full-text

Determinants of Workforce Preparedness during Pandemics Among Healthcare Workers at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health ◽

10.1177/21501327211004738 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 215013272110047

Author(s):

Michelle D. Balut ◽

Claudia Der-Martirosian ◽

Aram Dobalian

Keyword(s):

Veterans Affairs ◽

Clinical Staff ◽

Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽

Care Needs ◽

Multivariate Statistical ◽

Work Related ◽

Workforce Preparedness ◽

Household Preparedness ◽

The U.S ◽

Relevant Factors

Objective: An infectious disease outbreak can place a significant burden on healthcare systems, however, our understanding of the broader healthcare workforce’s preparedness during a pandemic is limited. This study examines factors that influence perceived workforce preparedness at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during a pandemic. Methods: The VA Preparedness Survey was a random, anonymous, web-based survey fielded nationwide October to December 2018. Multivariate statistical analyses examined the effects of study relevant factors (sociodemographic, work-related, general health, and household-related characteristics of VA employees) on perceptions of workforce preparedness, including institutional readiness and understanding of individual roles during a pandemic. Results: Four thousand and twenty-six VA employees responded. Overall, 55% were confident in their VA medical facility’s ability to respond; 49% understood their role; and 68% reported their role to be important during a pandemic. After controlling for study-relevant factors, household preparedness, having plans that address the health care needs of family members, and higher self-reported health status were associated with all 3 workforce preparedness variables. Clinical staff (compared to non-clinical staff) were less likely (OR:0.80, 95% CI:0.68-0.94, P < .01) to have confidence in their medical facility’s ability to respond but more likely (OR:1.77, 95% CI:1.49-2.10, P < .001) to believe their role was important. Employees who have been at the VA longer (OR:1.07, 95% CI:1.01-1.14, P < .05) or have experienced a disaster while working at the VA (OR:1.29, 95% CI:1.04-1.59, P < .05) were more likely to understand their role during a pandemic. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest the need for identifying ways to increase VA employees’ confidence in their medical facility’s ability to respond to a pandemic; develop trainings to improve understanding of their different yet critical roles, for both clinical and non-clinical staff, during a pandemic; create different workforce trainings for newly hired employees; and identify ways to improve household preparedness for a pandemic outbreak.

Download Full-text

Illuminating an Invisible Epidemic: A Systemic Review of the Clinical and Economic Benefits of Early Diagnosis and Treatment in Inflammatory Disease and Related Syndromes

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8040493 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 493 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wylezinski ◽

Gray ◽

Polk ◽

Harmata ◽

Spurlock

Keyword(s):

Healthcare System ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

The United States ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Systemic Review ◽

Best Interest ◽

Delayed Treatment ◽

Inflammatory Conditions ◽

Slow Development ◽

The U.S

Healthcare expenditures in the United States are growing at an alarming level with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projecting that they will reach $5.7 trillion per year by 2026. Inflammatory diseases and related syndromes are growing in prevalence among Western societies. This growing population that affects close to 60 million people in the U.S. places a significant burden on the healthcare system. Characterized by relatively slow development, these diseases and syndromes prove challenging to diagnose, leading to delayed treatment against the backdrop of inevitable disability progression. Patients require healthcare attention but are initially hidden from clinician’s view by the seemingly generalized, non-specific symptoms. It is imperative to identify and manage these underlying conditions to slow disease progression and reduce the likelihood that costly comorbidities will develop. Enhanced diagnostic criteria coupled with additional technological innovation to identify inflammatory conditions earlier is necessary and in the best interest of all healthcare stakeholders. The current total cost to the U.S. healthcare system is at least $90B dollars annually. Through unique analysis of financial cost drivers, this review identifies opportunities to improve clinical outcomes and help control these disease-related costs by 20% or more.

Download Full-text