Noting that most people are struggling with information overload and confusion when it comes to the nation's disparate and complex healthcare system, Gordon Norman, M.D., chief innovation officer for Alere Health, LLC, will highlight a range of attainable solutions at the 10th annual Population Health & Disease Management Colloquium to be held February 28 – March 2 in Philadelphia. Dr. Norman is scheduled to speak Monday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m.
"Most people can no longer make heads or tails of the nation's healthcare system," notes Norman. "We need to find ways to unify and connect the disparate components to ensure that people understand the system, and can best use and benefit from the information, programs and services available to them in their communities."
Norman likens the challenges of healthcare today to an ecosystem out of balance. As in nature, when one or more components of the system are out of sync, chaos can follow. Conversely, when the system works well, each part helps and supports the other. "In a healthcare system, when the ecosystem is in balance, outcomes of care are optimized through a satisfying experience adapted to individual needs, values and preferences," says Norman. "As a result, improved health is achieved at the lowest possible cost to individuals, employers, health plans and to society."
In his presentation, "It Takes a Proper Ecosystem," Dr. Norman will discuss what factors are essential to create the most effective health ecosystem, which he defines as the interplay of the environment, personal attributes and relationships, cultural influences, technology and health resources that impact individual health. Specifically, he will address: