Survey highlights motivators, challenges and tools for healthcare organizations pursuing accountable care organizations (ACO), PCMH and shared-savings programs
Ambulatory healthcare IT solutions provider, eClinicalWorks today released the findings from a recent survey examining the motivators and challenges for organizations interested in participating in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) and other risk-based or shared savings programs. The research concluded that more than half (53%) of respondents currently participate in one of the referenced programs. Among those who do not, approximately one-third (34%) anticipate their organization becoming part of an ACO, PCMH or shared-savings plan in the next three years.
eClinicalWorks conducted an online survey with responses from 2,104 healthcare professionals in the United States. All interviews were conducted between May 21 and 31, 2013. The results included responses from 682 physicians. The survey found the primary motivator for becoming an ACO or PCMH is:
- To improve patient outcomes (66%)
- Being able to better utilize resources across the health care system (41%)
- Maintaining market share (40%)
When asked what features or capabilities of healthcare information technology systems might be valued by an ACO or PCMH, nearly all organizations with or considering an ACO or PCMH believe that integration with the electronic health records (EHR) system is important (95%) to create quality outcomes for patients. Even more telling is the intensity of importance placed upon EHR.
Additional features that are valued for creating quality outcomes include:
- 93% rate physician alerts for high-risk patients within the EHR as important;
- 93% rate care-planning and coordination tools as important;
- 89% rate risk-assessment tools/predictive analytics as important; and
- 86% rate patient engagement tools like online portals, smartphone applications, notifications to patients, and patient satisfaction surveys as important.
