Delivering value ‐based healthcare for people with diabetes in a national publicly funded health service: Lessons from Ireland and Wales

This article explores value-based healthcare (VBHC) in the context of the National Health Service in Wales and the Irish Health Service Executive. Some of the principles of VBHC are discussed and case studies from Ireland and Wales are used to illustrate these principles. AbstractThe term value-based healthcare (VBHC) describes an approach to the organization and delivery of care that emphasizes reducing the cost of care while improving outcomes. This involves increased investment earlier in the care pathway e.g., in the prevention, timely diagnosis, and screening for complications in order to maximize the overall impact of care. Key elements of VBHC include the collection and interpretation of relevant data to drive quality improvement and appropriateness of care, a focus on a continuum of care from prevention through to complications, an awareness of the financial drivers of the cost of care and a recognition that meaningful outcomes of care are those that are important to patients. Although VBHC has its origins in North America and has mostly been applied to private health systems, the principles can also be applied to national health services. In publicly funded health systems, where resources are finite, VBHC initiatives aim to eliminate ineffective care that has no beneficial impact or added value for patients and to optimize patient outcomes by delivering care that meets the changing healthcare needs of a population over time. The National Health Service in Wales has e...
Source: Journal of Diabetes Investigation - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Tags: Mini Review Source Type: research