Answering the Call for Integrating Population Health: Insights from Health System Executives
Population Health Management in Health Care Organizations
ISBN: 978-1-78441-197-8
Publication date: 16 October 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The Affordable Care Act is transforming health care practice nationwide through emphasis on population health and prevention. Health care organizations are increasingly required to address population health needs. However, they may be ill equipped to answer that call.
Design/methodology/approach
This study identified ways that health care organizations might better integrate public and population health efforts to better respond to this new emphasis on population health. Employing semi-structured key informant interviews, barriers to and facilitators of integration were explored and implications for health care and public health leaders were developed.
Findings
Participants (n = 17) – including senior hospital executives, group practice administrators, and health department officials – identified strategies for health care and public health leaders to more effectively integrate in order to achieve better performance and population health gains. These strategies and their implications are discussed.
Originality/value
The results of this study provide important value to health care administrators leading efforts to integrate population and public health.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
The advice and mentorship of Dr. Paul Erwin at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville was central to the success of this study.
This study was made possible by funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through the National Coordinating Center for Public Health Systems and Services Research (NCC PHSSR), and through the constant encouragement and technical support provided by Dr. Doug Scutchfield, Mrs. Cynthia Lamberth, Mrs. Erin Louis, and other staff at the national coordinating center.
Above all, the contributions and insights provided by study participants cannot be underappreciated. Their candor and willingness to share their perspective is what made this study meaningful.
Citation
Carlton, E.L. (2014), "Answering the Call for Integrating Population Health: Insights from Health System Executives", Population Health Management in Health Care Organizations (Advances in Health Care Management, Vol. 16), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 115-138. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1474-823120140000016009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014 Emerald Group Publishing Limited