United Hospital Fund, Empire State Building, New York City
On our last day in New York City, Rachel and the United Hospital Fund arranged for a presentation on patient-centered health information technology to the New York Business Group on Health, at UHF-NYC headquarters in the Empire State Building.
As I do with most presentations, I started with a thought provoking question, and this day’s was “When was the last time you looked at your medical record?” The responses, as expected, were extremely varied. Most had never seen their medical record, or seen it in disconnected parts. There were some answers that went like this: “I have seen my claims data in a PHR, but not my medical record.” I thought it was interesting that people were able to differentiate between claims data and a medical record.
At the same time I said, “I wouldn’t be here talking about this if I didn’t think you could do it,” and I meant it. As I posted previously, New York is having great success implementing EHR’s through their PCIP project, and are about to add patient access to these systems. A strong purchaser community can bring the next level of integration – that of a wellness ecosystem.
Several audience members pointed out, accurately, that there are things that can be done in an integrated health system that cannot be done in a dis-integrated one. At the same time, there was sharing of some innovative projects that are happening in the health plan community as well as the purchaser community. I left as impressed with the possibilities as I was when I came.
When I looked out the window at the brewing snowstorm at the end of my talk, Rachel reminded me, “You’re still going to Queens.” Of course I was, and I’m glad I did. More on that in the next post.