 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Dr. Reed Tuckson
Health Care Expert
When our health is precarious, we really want to make sure we're going to the best possible physician and the best possible hospital.
Q. For some time we've had report cards on doctors; what makes this report card system different?
I think what's different is, first, the criteria--the metrics that are being evaluated are much more sophisticated, and they are much more tied to the actual clinical care that is delivered. So now we're getting a consensus. And physicians are now on board through the leadership of their professional medical societies.
Q. Will some doctors be less inclined to treat very ill patients if there is public reporting involved because the failure rate is a little bit higher?
A real concern, for the African American community in particular, because of the fact that we are, on average, much sicker, and present with more complex disease scenarios than other parts of the country. The key thing here is that the analysis of performance is done under very rigorous risk adjustment so that you are able to level out those cases that are more complex, and compare apples to apples as opposed to comparing apples to oranges.
Q. What should consumers think about electronic health records?
We're going to have very complex health histories and health experiences. Those health experiences are going to require organizing a number of medical and non-medical but social-supportive assets. They have to be put together in coordinated units for us to achieve our optimal survival and our optimum set of healthiness.
Co-founder and co-director of The Children's Partnership, Wendy Lazarus advocates for children's issues. She's served as an advisor and consultant to many organizations and foundations.
Related Episode
Recommended Web Sites
A state-by-state list of online HMO report cards.
Will a click of the mouse replace word of mouth when it comes to picking a hospital?
See evaluations of specific health care organizations.
Baseball teams have win-loss records. Businesses have quarterly earnings reports. What about doctors?
On PBS
Dr. James Reinertsen says it's very difficult for consumers to find good information about health care.
© 2005 KCET, Tavis Smiley Productions and PBS.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclaimer | 
RSS Feeds
Published: September 15, 2005
Tavis Smiley | Road to Health | Children | Teens | Adults | Issues | TalkBack | Index
Read More