Key Info, Ideas & Considerations on Addressing Healthcare via Non-Medical, Community-Based Resources & Tools

source: www.health.state.mn.us

It’s been established that 70-80% of determinants of health outcomes can be attributed to socio-economic, environment influence and behavioral health challenges. Accordingly, support from the community, through local volunteers or trusted low–cost services, has a vital role to play in meeting one’s practical healthcare needs and improving ones quality of life.

On Friday, June 17, 2016, I hosted the weekly #HITsm tweetchat where topics on “Addressing Healthcare via Non-Medical, Community-Based Resources and Tools” were discussed.

This post summarizes the key points of information, ideas and considerations raised by participants of that tweetchat. For detailed information contained in individual tweets, see previous posts referenced at the end of this post.

Topic #1: How can individuals who may benefit from non-medical support services be identified?

Specific locations where individuals who might benefit from non-medical support services were identified

The use of assessments – at doctor’s offices and upon admission and/or discharge from the hospital

Mobile application, Smart Phones, various devices and the Internet of Things can supply key data points

Analytics (aka. ‘Big Data’) are an important means to identify those who may benefit

Funding and Reimbursement for identification, assessment and referral coordination must be addressed!

The individual must be the center of attention

Topic 2: What role, if any, do physicians have in connecting patients to specific, local, non-medical support programs and resources?

There’s disagreement about the role of the physician

There's a role for others both in the doctor's office and elsewhere

Your shopping receipts can reveal a lot about your health and potential health needs

Topic #3: How can technology be used to reach out to people who may not seek help or sign up to receive it?

Technology supports patients and their caregivers – in public and private venues

Technology makes helpful resources accessible, available and scaleable

Supports Communication between resources, patients and caregivers.

Analytics & personalization are key needs addressed by technology

Topic 4: How can technology tap the large supply of informal support from volunteers and resources provided by local service organizations?

Creating a repository of available resources is important

Attributes and tags to help identify opportunities & potential conflicts

Technology is needed to enable interoperability and share information

Topic 5: How can digital tools bridge care provided in clinical settings w/community-based, non-medical resources?

Supports inter-operability, sharing of information and messaging between patient and resources

Facilitates actionable information that's easy to consume

Analytics create insight by identifying need and matching resources to those needs

Topic 6: What are some ways technology can help support the ‘carers’ who provide support to others?

Helps fit information and support into caregiver’s daily routine and workflow

Can relieve caregivers of some of the burden of day to day administrative and care coordination overhead

Enables and supports Communities of Care

Provides support for caregiver needs

Where to Find Details on All of the Above
For more detailed information and ideas on the above, check out these previous blog posts for tweets providing additional details on the above:

Topic #1

Topic #2

Topic #3

Topic #4

Topic #5 & #6

Also, consider following me on Twitter where I share information on this and other healthcare data, technology and services topics on a regular basis.