Recently the Commonwealth Fund http://www.commonwealthfund.org * noted: “Care management programs that focus on patients with complex health and social needs are increasingly viewed by health systems and payers as essential to lowering the overall costs of care. In a new Commonwealth Fund issue brief, researchers…. compare the approaches of 18 successful programs to identify best practices to guide providers, payers, and policymakers across the U.S.
In each of the complex care management (CCM) programs highlighted, specially trained, multidisciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health professionals, and others coordinate closely with primary care providers to address the needs of patients, most of whom have multiple chronic conditions or advanced illness and face social or economic barriers to accessing services. Effective programs use qualitative and quantitative methods to identify their target population, work to establish trusting relationships with patients, and employ health information technology.”
* to read the full Commonwealth Fund article “Complex Care Management: A Tool for Improving Quality, Lowering Costs” by Clemens S. Hong, M.D., Allison L. Siegel, and Timothy G. Ferris, M.D., highlight and click on open hyperlink http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletters/ealerts/2014/aug/complex-care-management?omnicid=EALERT536914&mid=jonathanmetsch@optonline.net
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Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H., is Clinical Professor, Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Adjunct Professor, Baruch College ( C.U.N.Y.), Rutgers School of Public Health, and Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration
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