A New Direction in Advanced Care, Bill Novelli
Bill Novelli, Co-Chair of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, writes in the Viewpoint editorial of the AAMC’s June Reporter that
We have a national problem that affects not just the seriously ill, but also providers, families, and communities alike. Evidence shows that patients do not receive care that reflects their values and preferences. Fragmented care systems; inadequately treated physical and emotional distress; heavy strain on caregivers and support systems; and poor communication among doctors, patients, and families all are typical. This dysfunctional approach can lead to poor care quality and low patient satisfaction.
At the same time, recent research shows that providing comprehensive, patient-centered care leads to better quality, greater patient satisfaction, and lower costs.
In the face of these challenges, a number of individuals and major organizations have concluded that the time is right for change—for improved care planning, stronger social support, higher-quality care, and needed policy initiatives that make a real difference for patients and their families, and for providers and taxpayers. We have come together in the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC).
The full text of the article can be found here. You can find out more about C-TAC members here and read our action plan to transform the care patients and their families receive for advanced illness, here. Further information for supporters can be found here.