Opening Plenary Panelists: It’s Time to Jump in the Game May 13, 2010

They say that the key to a good offense is a strong defense. But that adage need not apply to the practitioner in today’s era of health care reform. One abundantly clear message conveyed at Heart Rhythm 2010’s Opening Plenary Session, was that the true game changers in today’s health care are those that assume a proactive stance to ensure quality care and excellence in medicine. Importantly, quality initiatives must be defined from within, not from outside, the medical community.

Easier said than done, right? Actually, according to several of the session’s panelists, there are potentially less hurdles than you think.  

There is no question, challenges are abound, but the ink has yet to dry in a number of areas in the health care reform legislation leaving opportunities to chart the course as to how to fulfill and implement the aspirations of the legislation. Using a football analogy, former Senator Tom Daschle aptly noted that the enactment of the legislation 6 weeks ago only moved the ball to the 30-yard line, with 70 yards to go and enough time on the clock (considering that parts of the law go into effect 2012-2013) to still make the necessary calls to get the ball to the goal line. But he was quick to point out that while goals and deadlines had been clearly established as it relates to the insurance reform component, there are many remaining questions yet to be answered as to how to implement the payment and delivery reform provisions of the legislation. 

Indeed, those unanswered questions have left many in a lurch, unsure of how the legislation will affect them individually. But instead of taking a defensive “wait-and-see” approach (as many have done), the time is ripe to bring together the required strong team of players, coaches, team physicians, and officials to develop a plan of action to define goals and begin moving the ball down the field.   

And don’t be deceived; team rosters have yet to be announced and the rules of the game have yet to be defined. In fact, yesterday’s Plenary Session enlightened the audience (including this writer) that coaches and officials are actively recruiting and that, in fact, it’s relatively simple to sign-up. This process does not operate in a vacuum and its success is contingent on figuring out a way, as Harlan Krumholz, MD (Yale University School of Medicine) described, “to funnel in the opinions, expertise, and wisdom that reside within the profession.” The path to such an approach is multi-faceted and can begin at any level, whether it’s patient bedside or at the front steps of the Capitol building. 

But importantly, it has to begin and it must include those who are truly qualified to comment on measures of quality; it must include those that take care of the patients; it must include you. 

How do you plan to get involved?

[Editor’s note: Were you unable to attend Heart Rhythm 2010, or did you otherwise miss the exciting and thought-provoking Opening Plenary Session? View a webcast presentation now!]