The Strategic Role of Real-Time Curbside Consults in Value-Based Care
Introduction
The evolving healthcare landscape demands innovations that enhance care quality while managing costs effectively. Real-time clinical decision support represents a significant advancement in this direction, offering nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and primary care physicians (PCPs) timely access to specialist advice. This white paper explores the impact of these i on the operational efficiency and overall cost reduction within value-based care frameworks.
Evolution of Primary Care and Specialist Interaction
Traditionally, PCPs had direct access to specialists through interactions during hospital rounds. This dynamic facilitated a seamless exchange of expert opinions and fostered collaborative patient management. However, the rise of hospitalist programs has limited PCPs' presence in hospitals, subsequently diminishing their direct access to specialist consultations. This shift has created a gap in real-time clinical support, highlighting the need for alternative solutions that can replicate the immediacy and effectiveness of direct specialist interactions.
Real-Time “Curbside Consults”: A Solution
Platforms like PicassoMD, address this gap by providing immediate access to specialist knowledge through digital platforms. These solutions allow healthcare providers to discuss patient cases with specialists as if they were conversing in a hospital setting, but through a virtual medium. This model not only accelerates decision-making processes but also enhances the accuracy of diagnoses and treatment plans.
Benefits to Value-Based Care Systems
Value-based care systems, which prioritize patient outcomes and cost efficiency, stand to gain significantly from the implementation of real-time curbside consults:
Enhanced Patient Outcomes: Timely specialist advice can prevent the progression of diseases and reduce the need for more complex care, directly improving patient outcomes.
Reduced Healthcare Costs: By minimizing unnecessary diagnostic tests, treatments, and specialist referrals, these solutions can substantially lower healthcare costs.
Increased Provider Satisfaction: Enhances job satisfaction among PCPs by equipping them with the tools to provide comprehensive care, leading to better overall healthcare delivery.
Real Time vs. Next Day Solutions
Platforms offering next-day access to specialists are less disruptive to the traditional patient flow through a provider’s office but deliver limited value. These platforms often fail to address the need for more complex decision-making and do not significantly contribute to increased Fee-For-Service (FFS) revenue. Additionally, they tend to gain minimal traction in value-based care environments unless providers are mandated to use the platform prior to traditional in-person specialist referrals. However, forced adoption can negatively impact provider experience and hinder the long-term scalability of such solutions.
Future Directions
Innovative care delivery models beyond primary care, such as those focused on engaging high-risk populations, palliative care, or alternative sites of care, can greatly benefit from real-time access to specialty care. Programs like complex primary care at home, on-demand urgent care at home, Hospital at Home, or Skilled Nursing Facility care at home are frequently delivered by nurses, nurse practitioners, or paramedics, often under the supervision of a medical director. The success of these models in achieving their “site of service” savings depends heavily on their ability to manage complex patients effectively. Access to a real-time network of specialists is often the critical factor in unlocking their value proposition and scaling to meet the needs of a growing patient population.
Conclusion
Real-time curbside consults are redefining the interaction between primary care providers and specialists in the context of modern healthcare. By bridging the gap created by the decline of traditional hospital rounds, these digital consults empower PCPs, enhance patient care, and optimize costs in value-based care settings. As healthcare continues to evolve, embracing technologies that facilitate such advancements will be crucial for healthcare executives committed to leading their organizations toward a more efficient, effective, and patient-centered future.
By: Reza Alavi, MD, MHS, MBA and Shreya Jain, MBS at Quintuple Aim.
