In 2021 the White House issued its Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce. This is a conversation that addresses the goals of that initiative. The discussion includes a healthcare informatics professional and two medical doctors who look at the Veterans Administration patient experience. Topics include equity, diversity, and telehealth.
Monumental changes took place in healthcare during the COVID pandemic; some had nothing to do with vaccinations, boosters, and masks. Julia Atkin shares some statistical analytics that show COVID death rates are double in rural areas as compared to urban. Also, telehealth services are responding to this trend by drastic expansion.
Dr. Ernest Moy offers a look at improving equity from the perspective of a leader in an organization. He suggests one should start with having the right people in place. Staff must feel comfortable and be able to express their authentic selves. Dr. Moy recognizes the social needs of patients as well, he mentions the number of book banks VA hospitals offer. Finally, healthcare leaders must provide staff with the ability to understand the inequity in their hospitals.
Everyone participating in the discussion understands the need to leverage digital services to reduce inequity. Dr. Niels Olson states the obvious: no system will be used if it is not easy for end-users. He observes that it is hard to quantify how much is lost detailing the delays in computer interfaces.
Dr. Olson cites the example of the number of clicks it takes to check the vaccination status of a typical veteran. He thinks that if you improve the user experience of both doctor and patient, services can be delivered in an accelerated manner.
The Veteran’s Administration is proven itself to be flexible in a challenging environment to be able to increase services to an underserved population.
To view this webinar: Unlocking Equity & Patient Experience Data: The Future of More Inclusive Healthcare Experiences.
Featured Speakers:
Niels Olson
Chief Medical Officer,
Defense Innovation Unit
Dr. Ernest Moy
Executive Director, Office of Health Equity of the VHA
Julia Atkin
Senior Solutions Consultant,
Public Sector, Medallia Inc.
Lee Becker (moderator)
VP, Solutions Principal, Global Public Sector & Regulated Industries, Medallia Inc.
