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Notes from the 10th Annual Population Health and Disease Management Colloquium

Richard Scott

Dr. Thomas Wilson, founder of the Population Health Impact Institute, also spoke during the morning session. His presentation focused on transitions of care and, like Dr. Wender’s exploration of the medical home model, Dr. Wilson explored the areas of health reform that, despite the proceedings on Capitol Hill, can be addressed without formal legislation.

He also addressed the need for transparency in wellness and population health programs, and the PHI Institute will host a free Webinar on March 11 at 1:00 p.m. to explore this issue. The Webinar, “The Value of Transparency for the Evaluation of Wellness and other Population Health Programs,” will be moderated by Ford’s corporate medical officer, Dr. Walter Talamonti.

Most of the initiatives being sculpted and the areas being addressed in Washington focus on the “demand” side of the health care equation. That is, they revolve around the patient, the patient’s needs, and the organizations and systems that a patient “uses.” Transitions of care, however, sit on the “supply” side of health care; they are part of—and can be addressed by—the various providers of care. Dr. Wilson, who refers to transitions as the “white space” that drifts unacknowledged by any health care provider, stresses the importance of accountability and attribution when it comes to transitions—of both people and information.