At the Intersection of Health, Health Care and Policy Cite this article as: Dellara F. Terry and Leon Goldman Big Data Related To Physicians Health Affairs, 33, no.10 (2014):1877 doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0918
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Health Affairs is published monthly by Project HOPE at 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814-6133. Copyright © 2014 by Project HOPE - The People-to-People Health Foundation. As provided by United States copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code), no part of Health Affairs may be reproduced, displayed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or by information storage or retrieval systems, without prior written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved.
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doi:
10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0918
Big Data Related To Physicians The July 2014 issue focuses primarily on the use of patient-centered big data as a way to transform care. The other part of the equation, which was largely absent from the articles in the issue, is the use of physician-centered big data as a way to better understand health care delivery. Predictive modeling, absent the provider context, is one-sided and limited. Using patient outcome metrics linked with specific physician metrics may shed light on practice variations and identify practice behaviors that are worth emulating. Studies have demonstrated that physicians with increased volumes of specific procedures have better patient outcomes. 1 Other variables may also have an impact on care delivery and outcomes. Identifying geographic and temporal differences in training and practice may expose differences in care delivery. Analyzing the distribution of the workforce—including variables such as training and clinical and research
experience—may help explain the observed variations in care delivery. Evaluating trends in practice subspecialization may expose the potential benefits and costs of narrowly focused, highly specialized practices. Investigating patterns and drivers of referrals can shed light on why there are variations in how physicians use referrals and will be a step toward the optimal use of specialty care. If we are to truly transform care, it will be important to learn from big data related to both the patient and the provider. Only by examining big data from both sides of the equation will we be able to effectively identify best practices for improving patient outcomes. Dellara F. Terry and Leon Goldman Kyruus BOSTON , MASSACHUSETTS NOTE 1 Halm EA, Lee C, Chassin MR. Is volume related to outcome in health care? A systematic review and methodologic critique of the literature. Ann Intern Med. 2002;137(6):511–20.
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The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is available at: http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/33/10/1877.3.full.html
For Reprints, Links & Permissions: http://healthaffairs.org/1340_reprints.php E-mail Alerts : http://content.healthaffairs.org/subscriptions/etoc.dtl To Subscribe: http://content.healthaffairs.org/subscriptions/online.shtml
Health Affairs is published monthly by Project HOPE at 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814-6133. Copyright © 2014 by Project HOPE - The People-to-People Health Foundation. As provided by United States copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code), no part of Health Affairs may be reproduced, displayed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or by information storage or retrieval systems, without prior written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved.
Not for commercial use or unauthorized distribution Downloaded from content.healthaffairs.org by Health Affairs on March 10, 2015 by guest
Letters There is a limit of 300 words for letters to the editor. Health Affairs reserves the right to edit all letters for clarity, length, and tone. Letters can be submitted by e-mail, [email protected], or the Health Affairs website, http:// www.healthaffairs.org.
doi:
10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0918
Big Data Related To Physicians The July 2014 issue focuses primarily on the use of patient-centered big data as a way to transform care. The other part of the equation, which was largely absent from the articles in the issue, is the use of physician-centered big data as a way to better understand health care delivery. Predictive modeling, absent the provider context, is one-sided and limited. Using patient outcome metrics linked with specific physician metrics may shed light on practice variations and identify practice behaviors that are worth emulating. Studies have demonstrated that physicians with increased volumes of specific procedures have better patient outcomes. 1 Other variables may also have an impact on care delivery and outcomes. Identifying geographic and temporal differences in training and practice may expose differences in care delivery. Analyzing the distribution of the workforce—including variables such as training and clinical and research
experience—may help explain the observed variations in care delivery. Evaluating trends in practice subspecialization may expose the potential benefits and costs of narrowly focused, highly specialized practices. Investigating patterns and drivers of referrals can shed light on why there are variations in how physicians use referrals and will be a step toward the optimal use of specialty care. If we are to truly transform care, it will be important to learn from big data related to both the patient and the provider. Only by examining big data from both sides of the equation will we be able to effectively identify best practices for improving patient outcomes. Dellara F. Terry and Leon Goldman Kyruus BOSTON , MASSACHUSETTS NOTE 1 Halm EA, Lee C, Chassin MR. Is volume related to outcome in health care? A systematic review and methodologic critique of the literature. Ann Intern Med. 2002;137(6):511–20.
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