Last week I attended the 2008 Disease Management Colloquium sponsored by Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Packed with information that is pertinent to the practice of case/care/disease management, the meeting kicked off on May 19 with two pre-conferences and a certification examination on the Critical Analysis of Disease Management and Wellness Outcomes Reports. This meeting was led by Al Lewis, a pioneer in the field who has done a great deal of work in the area of validating the practice.
Later in the day, Dr. David Nash, the Chair of the Colloquium, opened the meeting and set the tone for the conference. He gave an excellent overview of where the industry is today and where professionals involved in the healthcare industry need to focus their attention. His opening session was taped, so I invite you to take a few minutes to watch David’s keynote address. You will find it informative and inspiriting. Click here to view.
Over the next two days, leaders in the field of health care shared a wealth of information. Their messages focused on prevention, quality, the importance of engaging the consumer as an active participant in his or her health care, and the role of the employer in assisting in this endeavor. The advent of the convenient care models also proved a popular discussion point. Those in support of the concept see it as a way of offering access to millions of people in settings they are already visiting. On-site retail centers will be popping up in local Wal-Marts, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacies and a host of employer settings where wellness, adherence to care, and convenience is important. Take time to look in your area to see if one of these settings is open, and you may find it beneficial to talk to the nurse practitioner who oversees the clinic to find out what the site offers and how it ensures a smooth transition of care. If you do go, please drop me a note about this, as we will be covering this trend in the October/November issue of Case in Point.
The meeting shed light on many of the trends and issues that surround the challenges of today’s health care system — topics such as quality of care, the impact of baby boomers, and the cost of chronic care due to the number of people who will be entering the system. Prevention and wellness were also key topics, in light of the insistence that the only way we will be able to afford the cost of care is to begin to educate people about the need to change behaviors and improve their own health.
Case managers/care coordinators/disease managers were mentioned in nearly every presentation as key members of the team who can address these issues. Case managers must make sure their skill sets are up to date and that they are clinically competent in gauging and utilizing advances in health care, as well as in the areas of coaching, behavior change and patient teaching. Case managers must have the skills to communicate with all members of the healthcare team, especially consumers, to address trends and challenges in an efficient and effective manner.
To assist with this, Dr. Nash announced that Jefferson Medical College will add several degree programs to its repertoire. They are planning to have four Masters Programs under one umbrella. The four programs will be Masters in Public Health; Masters in Health Policy; Masters in Healthcare Quality and Safety; and Masters in Chronic Care Management. Stay tuned to see how these programs will be structured and when they will be offered.
The Disease Management Colloquium is a must-attend meeting for those who understand that we are practicing in the middle of a changing industry. To stay connected, make sure you block out March 2, 3 and 4 of 2009 so you can attend next year’s colloquium.
Have a great week!
Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN
Editor-in-Chief of Across My Desk, Case in Point magazine, and the Case Management Resource Guide
allewellyn@dorlandhealth.com
