Discussion at a public forum on improving health care covered a broad spectrum Tuesday at the Pitt-Johnstown Living/Learning Center.
“We need to hear some conversation here,” Dr. Matthew Masiello, the moderator, said in opening the discussion. “We have a health-care system that is in trouble. We know that.”
Questions were directed at a panel of experts attending the World Health Organization’s Winter School, hosted this week at Windber Research Institute, where Masiello is chief wellness officer.
The seminar focuses on the International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services.
The panel outlined programs that countries are using to prevent disease and improve health, and audience members grilled the panel on specifics.
Carolyn Thompson of Johnstown said she once believed insurance companies would compile data about the best ways to prevent disease.
“I guess not,” Thompson said. “What is the most important trigger point in any system you have to get to in order to get started? What is the most effective way we can build on this?”
“We profoundly believe an integrative system is crucial,” said Louis Cot, coordinator of Montreal’s health-promoting hospital network.
“It is good to bring surgeons, clinicians, public health and administration under the same roof,” Cot said. “Then convince private foundations to invest to help society. We have the evidence that we can succeed.”
Janet Grady, director of Pitt-Johnstown’s nursing program, said most health-care leaders in the United States agree with the health promotion group’s goal.
“What we really need to do is overcome the barriers,” Grady said. “What were the major barriers you faced?”
Doctors working in public health areas were the first to come on board for Canada’s network, Cot said.
“It is really hard to convince surgeons,” he said. “You have to convince the doctors who come in early in the morning.”
The best way to convince anyone is with evidence showing that health promotion saves money and improves lives in the future, said Dr. Tim Neumann of Charite–Universitatsmedizin in Berlin, Germany.
“Everything runs on money,” said David Klemenik, Somerset County judge and Windber Research Institute board member. “What experience have you had in getting the payers – the government and private insurance companies – to see a dollar spent in health promotion will save them $2 later?”
A good example comes from the United States, said Dr. Hanne Tonnesen of Bispebjerg Hospital in Denmark and chief executive officer of the WHO International Health Promoting Hospital Secretariat.
A trauma physician noticed trauma patients who also abused alcohol had more complications and were more likely to make return trips to the emergency departments. His study showed that by offering a proven alcohol-intervention program, the hospital saved money. Now all trauma departments have the opportunity to chart patients’ alcohol intervention.
“There is a number to put on the bill so you can have it reimbursed,” Tonnesen said.
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Dr. Tim Neumann of Charite-Universitatsmedizin in Berlin, Germany, addresses the audience Tuesday as Dr. Matthew Masiello looks on during a discussion on health care at Pitt-Johnstown’s Living/Learning Center. Randy Griffith
Discussion
World luminaries discuss solutions for health care
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