Finally, back in person after a wealth of virtual gatherings, 熊猫视频2022 brought about 2,500 health care professionals together in Las Vegas, Nevada 鈥� and delivered in some surprising ways. Together again, we had the chance to think collaboratively and learn from one another as we continue our work to make health care better and more affordable for every American.
We were reminded that meaningful change is not only possible 鈥� it is happening. And we learned that happiness (yes, ) is a core competency of the best leaders.
One concept, however, touched on every topic discussed and big idea shared: Connection.
The health care community is facing big challenges, and none of those exist in a vacuum. Mental health, health equity, telehealth, and measurement are all entwined, and we have to work together to guide greater health.
Here are 熊猫视频2022鈥檚 four top themes that are inspiring, energizing, 鈥� and connecting 鈥� us all for the work ahead.
Progress is built on lessons learned
The digital tools that have helped us weather the pandemic in our work and personal lives are also revolutionizing health care delivery. We鈥檙e building on the rapid development and adoption of telehealth, mobile apps, online ordering, home health monitoring, and more.
Through innovation we rose to the challenge, reinventing meetings, socializing, and evolving how patients access care. And today we鈥檙e stronger for it. The best practices from that rapid shift will enable health insurance providers to continue supporting members long into the future.
鈥淣owhere is this transformation more profound than in the arena of mental health,鈥� said Matt Eyles, 熊猫视频President and CEO. 鈥淚n fact, over 40% of all visits for psychotherapy in 2020 were done through telehealth, a 100-fold increase from 2019.鈥�
Health equity isn鈥檛 a zero-sum game
This is such an important concept that it was shared first by author Heather McGhee, and then by Joneigh S. Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP, Vice President and Chief Health Equity officer at CVS Health.
In fact, speakers returned time and time again to the concept of health equity because the ongoing public health crisis made it even more clear that equity is key to realizing our shared mission of helping all Americans achieve their best health.
鈥淲e learned really quickly that everyone鈥檚 in this together,鈥� said Eric Hunter, President and CEO of CareOregon. 鈥淭hat dynamic really feeds into the sense of community as the solution to health care鈥檚 long-term issues.鈥�
What gets measured, gets managed
It鈥檚 an old axiom, and also a concept that came up throughout 熊猫视频2022. 鈥淧articularly with the health care system, the things that move the needle are things that are measured, reported on, and compensated for,鈥� said Hunter.
鈥淭he pandemic highlighted the degree to which we need real-time data and connectivity, and the ability to aggregate that data and understand what鈥檚 happening,鈥� said Sarah London, CEO of Centene Corporation.
also showcased their range of specialties, bringing the latest technology to bear in solving some of health care鈥檚 most complex challenges.
Rethink your approach to mental health
To change the course of the growing mental health crisis in America, we鈥檒l have to help patients access the right care at the right time and improve their outcomes 鈥� not just their symptoms.
Arthur C. Evans, Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association, noted that when you break a leg, you want it to heal, but your goal is to be able to walk. And when it comes to mental health, we need a similar approach. 鈥淭he model for how we address behavioral health needs has not changed in the last 100 years鈥� For too long the only thing we鈥檝e done in behavioral health is to treat illness,鈥� said Evans. 鈥淲e have a whole public health infrastructure to try to get ahead of issues so that people don鈥檛 develop cancer鈥� we鈥檝e not done that in behavioral health.鈥�
Priorities include building out the mental health workforce at all levels, so that people can get the right care at the right time, focusing on health equity and improving access to care for traditionally disadvantaged populations, and using evidence-based care and value-based models to incentivize and build on what works.