“‘We cannot forget that healthcare is about taking care of people, so no amount of change or innovation is ever sufficient if modernization does not lead to helping patients, delivering better outcomes, saving lives or helping healthcare providers deliver care,’ said Dr. Terry Adirim, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, during a Views from the Top educational session at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society 2021 annual conference.”
“She spoke about the unique differences, as well as the similarities, between civilian and military medicine.”
“‘I believe there are unique lessons from our experience within the Military Health System, regardless of what sector of healthcare you sit in,’ said Adirim. ‘From data systems driving greater efficiencies and better outcomes within our agencies, to efforts helping us realize the advancements in science and medicine.'”
“These innovations, she said, are aligning federal healthcare providers with the best in private sector care, delivering the best results for service members and their families.”
“Adirim said the two largest factors currently leading to innovations, changes and advancements within the MHS are:
- MHS Reform
- COVID-19″
“‘We can’t discuss innovation, modernization and responding to change without also talking about the pandemic. COVID-19 continues to prove to be the ultimate disruptor,’ she said. ‘It has tested the readiness and resilience of the entire enterprise and put our providers at risk and, ultimately, threatens our service members’ ability to do their jobs…'” Read the full article here.
Source: Reform, COVID-19 Have Been Catalysts for Change in Military Medicine – By Jacob Moore, August 16, 2021. Military Health System.
