Intelligent Healthcare Information Integration 4/10/10

Sir Don and the CMS

The pediatrician in me says, “Wahoo, one of us!”

The primary care physician in me says, “Yeah, someone who believes in reinvestment in general practice and primary care and that reimbursement should be based upon value, not volume!”

The small community advocate in me says, “Cool, a guy who believes in strengthening ‘local health care systems – community care systems – as a whole.’”

The doctor-geek in me says, “Yes, I like a healthcare leader who isn’t focused upon the technology; the tools need to return to where they belong, in the tool chest, not as the centerpiece of health care provision.”

The patient in me says, “Wow, his primary focus, keeping the patient at the ‘absolute center’ of the health care system, is heartening.”

The pragmatist in me says, “OK, he has some experience running a large bureaucracy, but nothing as huge as CMS. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing given the brain sludge which often accompanies those who become too mired within bureaucratic traditions.”

The worrywart in me says, “Well, perhaps the critics correctly warn that his propensity for idealism over EBM (Evidence-Based Medicine) needs tempering.”

The empathist in me says, “Sir Dr. Don Berwick has one helluva mantle to shoulder at CMS. Congress, insurers, lobbyists, lawyers, HIT vendors, providers, patients, and, of course, the entire healthcare blog world will all be nipping at his hide. Hope his is thick enough.”

From the trenches…

“A true knight is fuller of bravery in the midst, than in the beginning, of danger.” – Sir Philip Sidney

Dr. Gregg Alexander, a grunt in the trenches pediatrician, directs the “Pediatric Office of the Future” exhibit for the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a member of the Professional Advisory Council for ModernMedicine.com. More of his blather…er, writings…can be found at his blog, practice web site or directly from doc@madisonpediatric.com.