We are all too familiar with the impact the pandemic has had on the health of people of color and those with few resources. While the statistics were new, the issue was not. In its first Health Disparities Report, WCHQ identified where disparities in health outcomes and care exist in Wisconsin. Now, we have an opportunity to use that data to begin to identify and eliminate gaps in care in our state.

On December 3, 2021 WCHQ is hosting a virtual Executive Summit on Health Disparities. Invitations to participate were sent to every WCHQ member health system and medical clinic CEO about 4 weeks ago with a request to designate one person to represent your health system or clinic at the Summit.

WCHQ is pleased to have two well-known health leaders co-chairing this work, Dr. Sue Turney, Chief Executive Officer of Marshfield Clinic Health System and Cathy Jacobson, President and CEO of Froedtert Health. Dr. Turney and Ms. Jacobson will preside over the Summit and offer their perspectives on the importance of this work as it relates to urban and rural areas of the state.

Tim Prince, MHA, FACHE, senior advisor, strategic project alignment at Findorff, will facilitate the Summit.

At the Summit, the leaders of WCHQ provider organizations will be asked to commit to working on one or two specific health disparities in their communities over the next two years. During that time, WCHQ members will receive customized status and progress reports and will be encouraged to have a representative participate on a WCHQ-facilitated improvement team. At these meetings, WCHQ members will be able to network with others working on the same topic, share best practices and explore new resources.

If your health system has not designated a representative to participate in the virtual Summit December 3, contact Abbey Harburn. WCHQ is also recruiting WCHQ provider members to the improvement team, contact Abbey for more information.

Obesity

Payers, Providers Share Ideas To Improve Care to Those with Obesity

Since early in 2021, the WCHQ Obesity Advisory Group has been meeting monthly to discuss issues related to obesity. An on-going discussion has been to the identify what works in terms of best outcomes and what is covered so patients and providers know when a service or treatment involves out-of-pocket expenses. To learn more about coverage, the Advisory Group invited payers to a group meeting.

Representatives from nearly all of Wisconsin’s provider-owned health plans and two health alliances that serve employers participated in the meeting with members of the Advisory Group.

The point was made that obesity may not be identified as a chronic condition, but it contributes to chronic disease and it is a cost driver. Controlling obesity, or preventing a person from becoming obese, can save thousands of dollars in health care costs while improving their quality of life. Providers and insurers agreed that they need to make the business case to employers that preventing and treating obesity will save them thousands of dollars in health care costs.

A physician on the Advisory Group made the point that it is clear in his patient population that treating obesity leads to fewer medications for other conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, but data is required to make that case to payers and employers. Going forward, it was suggested to narrow the focus to one chronic condition that is impacted by obesity, such as diabetes, and gather cost-savings related data.

This group will continue to meet and work on specific obesity-related topics that will improve the care for and capture the cost savings associated with treating obesity. If you are interested in joining this conversation, contact Jen Koberstein.

Behavioral Health

Workforce Wellbeing an Important Topic as COVID Surge Persists

Workforce wellbeing is vital to an organization’s success and is top of mind for the WCHQ Behavioral Health Improvement Team during recent meetings. Health systems are reporting the latest COVID surge, coupled with staff shortages, is putting immense pressure on staff who are already exhausted. The team has been discussing ways to support staff and acknowledge the pressures they are facing. One WCHQ member shared some short videos on tips to help care team members during this time. The tips include helping team members combat isolation, how to seek help, and restoration when time is limited. Please share as appropriate with your teams.  

Tip #1: I Can’t Do This Again

Tip #2: I Don’t Have Time for Any of This

Tip #3: When I Look Back on This  

Tip #4: The Vaccine Conversation

Tip #5: Caring for the Unvaccinated

Tip #6: Together

The American Medical Association provided this set of tips for caring for yourself, your team members, and patients during the pandemic.

WCHQ acknowledges the incredible commitment and sacrifices you have made during the past 18 months. If you are interested in joining the WCHQ Behavioral Health Improvement Team contact Jen Koberstein.

Chronic Disease

Literacy Resources for Diabetes Management Programs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes October as Health Literacy Month with an emphasis on personal and organizational health literacy. Health literacy efforts support individuals in finding and understanding health-related information to further support informed decision making.

Many health care professionals are tasked beyond health literacy toward a more inclusive person-centered approach. A journal issue from Diabetes Care recognized a task force comprised of individuals from the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for providing context and examples of preferred language to motivate, promote behavior changes, and improve outcomes with language.

Consider how you might take this approach within your Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support Programs. Powerful language can be person-centered, non-judgmental (free from stigma), respectful, and encourage patient/provider collaboration.

Join the WCHQ Chronic Disease Learning Collaborative to gain insight regarding relevant topics and shared best practices with other peers within the health care industry. Contact Sheryl Pierce for information.  

Oral Health

WCHQ Oral Health Collaborative Focus on Patient-Reported Outcomes

In follow-up to the third annual Oral Health Summit held last July, the WCHQ Oral Health Collaborative members agreed to continue pursuing the adoption of a patient-reported outcome tool. During the Summit, keynote presenter Mike John, PhD, MPH, presented on patient-reported outcomes. He believes that collaborating with other dental practices to collect data will help determine whether a treatment works for patients. Patient-reported outcomes are an important datapoint in evidence-based dentistry.    

Patient-reported outcome measures look at four dimensions of oral health, including oral function, orofacial pain, orofacial appearance, and psychosocial impact. These four dimensions have a significant impact on patient quality of life and assessing the patient’s perception is key to providing excellent oral health care.

If you are interested in more information about the Oral Health Collaborative contact Jen Koberstein at jkoberstein@wchq.org.