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State Society Furthers Collaborative Efforts on Behalf of Patients

The Pennsylvania Medical Society Board of Trustees has approved the launch of a collaborative initiative to promote patient-centered models of care related to chronic disease management.

The Board also endorsed the concept of a Legislative Caucus on Patient Safety, an idea originated by state Sen. Edwin Erickson (R - Delaware/Chester). The caucus would consist of a bi-partisan group of legislators, a physician member of the Society, and representatives of selected allied health professions.

Patient-centered care

The collaborative, which would include academic medical centers, health systems, medical specialties, and other interested entities in Pennsylvania, would first conduct a feasibility study to determine what types of physician and patient education materials may be needed to promote the concepts.

In September 2006, the Board adopted a policy that facilitating implementation of evidence-based, patient-centered care, particularly as it relates to chronic disease management, is a central part of the Society’s patient advocacy philosophy and organizational mission. A core element of this policy is to seek to collaborate with other organizations and initiatives.

Implementation of patient centered chronic care models have been initiated by organizations across the health care spectrum, and has become a core concept guiding patient safety, risk management, patient-physician communication, and the evolution of the physician’s role in the health care team. The State Society can be most effective on this issue as a catalyst for collaboration and by seeking opporunities to facilitate the implementation of patient-centric care models.

The State Society’s initial efforts will focus on the issue of improving physician-to-physician communication within hand-off and referral situations, as care is passed from one physician to another, or to other health care practitioners. Physician leaders of the Society have identified this issue as an area of urgent need within today’s medical practices.

This issue has taken on a heightened sense of urgency because chronic disease management is an element of Gov. Ed Rendell's Prescription for Pennsylvania health care reform plan.

Legislative Caucus on Patient Safety

Currently, when a bill impacting public health is proposed or introduced, there is no mechanism in place in the General Assembly to allow for a review from the perspective of the physician aspects of the bill that may affect patient safety. This includes exploring the effects of the use of allied health professionals or expanding their scope of practice.

The caucus could serve as an open, expert forum to explore potentially harmful implications of changes that would affect public health and patient safety.

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