4. Implementation of Value-based Healthcare in Europe
EIT Health has recently published a guide for implementing Value-based Healthcare in Europe [17] that addresses:
- healthcare practitioners that want to offer high value care,
- innovators who want to launch products that meet patients’ needs, and
- policy makers that are seeking to transform healthcare systems.
EIT Health Value-based Healthcare Implementation matrix
The VBHC Implementation Matrix developed by the EIT Health research team is based on five fundamental dimensions:
- Recording – Measuring processes and outcomes through a scorecard and data platform
- Comparing – Benchmarking teams through internal and external reports
- Rewarding – Investing resources and creating outcome-based incentives
- Improving – Organising improvement cycles through collective learning
- Partnering – Aligning internal forces and forging collaborations with external partners
The building blocks of the EIT Health Value-based Healthcare solution
Each of the five dimensions of the Implementation Matrix is made up of building blocks. There are nine building blocks in total that are crucial for visualizing and implementing VBHC initiatives.
First block: “Identifying the Condition”
A key to successful implementation is to focus mainly on a single condition and put all efforts and resources into that.
Second block: “Internal Forces”
It highlights the importance of having every stakeholder in healthcare involved, from the administrative leaders to doctors, nurses and nurse assistants. To convince everyone to adopt VBHC, a cultural shift and connection of the teams towards a common goal is very important.
Third block: “Patient Scorecard”
It aims at measuring the value of care for the specific condition selected considering the processes, outcomes and costs involved in this journey. The scorecard can also reflect a baseline and target range for each indicator measured according to the specific condition.
Fourth block: “Value-based Healthcare Data Platform”
Such a platform will serve as an interface between patients and healthcare professionals to share patient data. This platform will contribute to having a holistic view of the patient as well as to improving health outcomes.
Fifth block: “Benchmarks”
They can be applied in rating performance of clinics, based on outcome data. Benchmarking provides a more transparent view of performances across clinics, so it is possible to share best practices. Patients will also have the option to choose the clinics that have the best outcomes based on the benchmarks.
Sixth block: “Investments”
They are required for launching a VBHC initiative including change management, human resources, and a data platform.
Seventh block: “Incentives”
Incentives can influence the adoption of VBHC projects. Main incentives can be psychological (a good reputation the healthcare clinics will develop after improving health outcomes) or economic (which are efficient in driving behaviour change needed when implementing VBHC).
Eighth block: “Creating a Learning Community”
Having a learning community within a VBHC ecosystem is crucial to establish strong relationships between clinicians who can inspire each other.
Ninth block: “External Collaborations”
Many cross-functional relationships are involved in VBHC between various stakeholders: payers, suppliers, purchasers, healthcare providers, patients and health policy makers. The latter are responsible for creating public-private alliances that will enable outcome-based payments and value-based procurements.
- First block: “Identifying the Condition”
- Second block: “Internal Forces”
- Third block: “Patient Scorecard”
- Fourth block: “Value-based Healthcare Data Platform”
- Fifth block: “Benchmarks”
- Sixth block: “Investments”
- Seventh block: “Incentives”
- Eighth block: “Creating a Learning Community”
- Ninth block: “External Collaborations”
[17] International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement. Standard Set Development [Internet/PowerPoint presentation on the Internet]. Denmark: International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement; 2018. [cited 15 Apr 2020] Available from: www.regioner.dk/media/6840/verdensomspaendende-outcome-maal-v-dr-thomas-kelley.pdf
Please find all references here.