Improvement of the health system: Integrative approach leads to cost savings and better results for patients (location: United States)

Improvement of the health system: Integrative approach leads to cost savings and better results for patients (location: United States)
U.S. Health systems and clinics report costs, improvements in patient experience and health as well as the promotion of the well -being of the clinicians by providing integrated care, as published in a new white book by the Family Medicine Education Consortium and the Samueli Foundation.
The white book "The importance of holistic health care" describes how a change in treatment practices to a holistic approach, which can enable evidence-based conventional medicine, non-medication and self-care.
a reversal of the focus of the treatment of diseases to improve health
Instead of concentrating exclusively on combating diseases, holistic health care focuses on improving a Person's health as a whole by taking broader factors into account that influence the entire person. This includes mental health, self -care and lifestyle as well as the social and economic determinants of health that affect the quality of life in the places where people live, learn, work and play, says Jonas.
case studies show positive results
The White Book emphasizes case studies of US health systems that have implemented this integrative approach to care, including the Veterans Administration, the University of Arizona, the University of Michigan, the SouthCentral Foundation in Alaska and other health plans.
An example is the Veterans Administration, which four years ago carried out an integrated health model for 133,476 veterans at 18 locations. The holistic approach of the VA shifted from a disease -oriented, transactional system to a team -based treatment model based on relationships, which takes into account physical, emotional and social factors.
The results of the VA were remarkable, said Jonas. The health costs for veterans who claimed holistic health services were lower in 2018 and 2019 compared to those who received conventional care, including:
- Cost 12% to 24% lower in all categories except drugs
- 4.1% lower cost increase in drugs
- $ 4,845 total savings per person (20%)
In addition, veterans reported with chronic pain that received holistic health services compared to those who received the usual care, healthier behavior and minor improvements in their sense of purpose, well -being and quality of life.
positive results through integrative care
Overall, the health systems presented in the white book reported positive results through the integration of non-drug, supplementary and alternative methods in their care, including:
- Better patient results: The Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania began to offer free food and nutritional education as treatment for diabetes in addition to patient education. On average, the patients had a decline in the A1C value by 2 points, a measure of blood sugar levels, as well as lower weight, blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol. In another study at the University of Michigan, 82.4% of the patients reported an improvement in their quality of life, 55% named a "significant improvement" of their symptoms and 7.1% said that their problem was "completely solved".
- improved patient experiences: The integrative Medicine Primary Care Clinic of the University of Arizona reported improvements in patient experience, in which 93% of patients rated trust in their practitioner between 7 and 10, and about 89% rated total satisfaction between 7 and 10. In the study at the University of Michigan, 62% of patients who received integrative care rated their treatment as "excellent" or "best treatment they have ever had".
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Cost savings: In addition to the lower costs for VA supply mentioned above, a study by the alternative medicine, Inc., a group in the Chicago area, showed lower costs for patients who received chiropractic treatment, compared to those who only received conventional care. This led 43% fewer hospital admissions, 58.4% fewer hospital days and 51.8% lower drug costs.
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Improved experience of the clinicians: employees of the VA who were involved in holistic health reported a higher willingness to commit and lower the risk of burnout, which increased the stability of the workforce.
FAZIT
The white paper study shows that the changeover to holistic health care can have significant advantages for both patients and the health system itself. By integrating non-drug treatment methods and emphasizing self-care and individual well-being, both the costs can be reduced and the patient experience can be improved. The positive response of the health systems that have already implemented these integrative approaches confirms the need to further research and implement these models.