Improving the Health Care System: Integrative Approach Leads to Cost Savings and Better Patient Outcomes (Location: United States)

Improving the Health Care System: Integrative Approach Leads to Cost Savings and Better Patient Outcomes (Location: United States)

U.S. Health systems and clinics report reducing costs, improving patient experience and health, and promoting clinician well-being through the delivery of integrated care, according to a new white paper from the Family Medicine Education Consortium and the Samueli Foundation.

The White Paper “The Importance of Holistic Health Care” describes how shifting treatment practices to a holistic approach that integrates evidence-based conventional medicine, non-drug treatments and self-care can enable widespread systemic improvements.

A reversal of focus from treating disease to improving health

Rather than focusing solely on fighting disease, holistic healthcare focuses on improving a person's overall health by considering broader factors that affect the whole person. This includes mental health, self-care and lifestyle, as well as the social and economic determinants of health that influence the quality of life in the places where people live, learn, work and play, says Jonas.

Case studies show positive results

The white paper highlights case studies of U.S. 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.

One example is the Veterans Administration, which implemented an integrated healthcare model for 133,476 veterans at 18 locations four years ago. The VA's holistic approach shifted from a disease-focused, transactional system to a relationship-based, team-based care model that considers physical, emotional and social factors.

The VA's results were remarkable, Jonas said. Healthcare costs were lower for veterans who received holistic healthcare services in 2018 and 2019 compared to those who received conventional care, including:

• Kosten 12% bis 24% niedriger in allen Kategorien außer Arzneimitteln
• 4,1% niedrigere Kostensteigerung bei Arzneimitteln
• 4.845 US-Dollar Gesamteinsparungen pro Person (20%)

Additionally, veterans with chronic pain who received holistic health services reported healthier behaviors and modest improvements in their sense of purpose, well-being, and quality of life compared to those who received usual care.

Positive outcomes through integrative care

Overall, the health systems featured in the White Paper reported positive outcomes from integrating non-drug, complementary and alternative methods into their care, including:

• Bessere Patientenergebnisse: Das Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania begann, kostenlose Lebensmittel und Ernährungsbildung als Behandlung für Diabetes neben der Patientenaufklärung anzubieten. Die Patienten hatten im Durchschnitt einen Rückgang des A1C-Werts um 2 Punkte, ein Maß für den Blutzuckerspiegel, sowie niedrigeres Gewicht, Blutdruck, Triglyceride und Cholesterin. In einer anderen Studie an der University of Michigan berichteten 82,4% der Patienten von einer Verbesserung ihrer Lebensqualität, 55% nannten eine „signifikante Verbesserung“ ihrer Symptome und 7,1% sagten, dass ihr Problem „vollständig gelöst“ sei.
• Verbesserte Patientenerfahrungen: Die Integrative Medicine Primary Care Clinic der University of Arizona berichtete von Verbesserungen der Patientenerfahrung, bei denen 93% der Patienten das Vertrauen in ihren Behandler zwischen 7 und 10 bewerteten, und etwa 89% eine Gesamtzufriedenheit zwischen 7 und 10 bewerteten. In der Studie an der University of Michigan bewerteten 62% der Patienten, die integrative Versorgung erhielten, ihre Behandlung als „ausgezeichnet“ oder „beste Behandlung, die sie je hatten“.

• Cost Savings: In addition to the lower costs of VA care noted above, a study by Alternative Medicine, Inc., a Chicago-area group, showed lower costs for patients who received chiropractic care compared to those who received conventional care alone. This resulted in 43% fewer hospitalizations, 58.4% fewer hospital days and 51.8% lower drug costs.

• Improved Clinician Experience: VA employees involved in holistic health reported higher levels of engagement and lower risk of burnout, increasing workforce stability.

Conclusion

The white paper study shows that the shift to holistic healthcare can have significant benefits for both patients and the healthcare system itself. Integrating non-drug treatments and an emphasis on self-care and individual wellness can both reduce costs and improve the patient experience. The positive response from health systems that have already implemented these integrative approaches reinforces the need to further research and implement these models.