Confused as I am about Health Care Reform?

Some of my latest blogs in the health care reform series talk about ACO’s and Medical Homes.  This concept is getting closer to implementation and there are still many debates on what they actually are.  Some experts say a Medical Home is part of an ACO, whereas other experts are separating them as two entities.  There are alternative pilot programs called Pioneer ACO models.  You can choose to participate in one of two ACO’s with different reimbursement models.  Is your head spinning yet or did you read the 434 pages of the bill that was recently released?
Sure, the goal is to improve health care for patients while lowering costs.  But why does it have to be so complicated?   Physicians and hospitals are all in agreement to improve quality of care and keep costs down.   Can Physicians be assured that by joining an ACO or Medical Home that this will really happen?  Medicare has already underestimated the startup cost of ACO.  Will this cost the physician in the long run?
Hospitals and private practice managers have a lot of work cut out for them over the next couple years.  There are many more questions than there are answers.  Personally, I like the concept idea of a Medical Home.  This concept has nothing to do with money or incentives.  It’s common sense.  I’ve been lucky to have 1st hand knowledge of a private practice that works like a Medical Home already.  This specialty practice coordinates care with the primary physicians, and any other ancillary physicians for their patients for the time they are treating the patient.
This concept isn’t new; it’s their Standard of Care.  The ACP and other medical organizations should be at the helm of getting this type of process in place for all physicians, this first step might be the most beneficial and economical way of healthcare reform.
To read more about ACO’s & Medical Homes click here: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jun/07/health-care-reform-debate-surrounds-accountable-ca/

Is your hospital or practice anticipating joining an ACO?

Do you have any comments on health care reform?
Michele White

Google+'s Stream & what a Post looks like

In my last blog about Google+'s features, I wasn't able to log in. Last night I got a second attempt at an invite to work. So far, I'm liking what I am seeing. It is very intuitive and clean looking. For those of you that may be thinking learning a whole new platform would be a daunting task, don't worry because there are similar features found in Facebook, but taken a step or two further.

For the timid, this blog will focus first on the Stream, which is similar to Facebook's Newsfeed. Although similiar, the stream is slightly different. The stream is content that has been shared specifically with you by people in your circles and also a collection of people who share information with you but may not necessarily be in your circle.

Circles function similar to your real-world circles of fiends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances. I put all of my family in a Circle, friends in another Circle, etc. This makes sharing content easier by directing specifically which circle can see a specific post, image, video, article, or link. Google has a video on Circles.

Here's a screenshot of my very first post on Google+ :

Upon looking at the image, it appears similar to a Facebook post. Take a closer look though. Above my actual post is my name, the time I posted, and the word "Limited".  What does Limited mean?

When one is about to post a statement, video, link, or photo, they have the option to post it publicly to everyone, to extended circles, or to a limited group. I had chosen to only share that post with my Circle called Family. Hence the word Limited on my post. Since this is my post, if I click Limited at, I will see the profile pictures of everyone that I shared it with. If someone else posted with Limited, I can click Limited to view the profile pictures of up to 21 other people who also can see that post. I can click through to a specific person's profile or add them to one of my circles.

Have you been noticing all the +1's in your Google searches? Michael Perry clicked on the +1 button on my post. That is similar to the Like button on Facebook, by expressing that you like, agree with, or recommend a piece of content on the Internet. The +1 helps Google improve the content you see in searches. Watch this video on +1.  People can also comment and share on your post.

What do you think of Google+? Do you think it will take down Facebook? Or will they share the marketplace?

Citation:

The Google+ Project. (2011). Help Center. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/support/+/

5 Features of Google+

Google never stops trying to take over the world! As long as they abide by their motto, “do no harm”, I’m okay with that. Their anticipated big launch is Google+, a social networking site. I know what you’re thinking... Google Wave was a bust. Google Buzz was a bust. Will Google+ also be a bust?

I’m not so sure. They have a great premise here. I find that with Facebook, when I post a photo, I would love to have the ability to share that photo with only certain people. Facebook doesn’t work like that. If you post a photo, any one of your friends can see it.

From what I have gathered, as I am not a part of the beta yet, is that you will have the ability to put all of your “friends” into certain circles. Shocker, Google calls this “Circles”. One can put their friends into one circle, their co-workers into a different circle, family in another, and so on.

What a fantastic concept! I like to think of this as targeted sharing. Not everyone on my “friend” list on Facebook cares to read my many article posts on libraries. (I love libraries and think they are very important to society.) Nor do some people care to see my many many many posts of food that I am eating at a new restaurant! With Google+ I can designate which Circle gets to see what post!

Going along with Circles, another feature of Google+ is the Instant Upload. More and more people are taking pictures directly from their phones.  Photos will instantly update from your phone to a private album on Google. From there, you can direct your photos who different Circles. No more looking for the cable that links your phone to your computer or having to use programs like Dropbox.

The next feature is Hangouts, I’m really not sure how this will work. It’s an “unplanned meet-up” on the web. One let’s a group of people know they would like to hang out and then wait for them to meet you online. I believe it will work similar to a chat style setting.

Sparks is a recommendation system. You type in what you are interested in, and it will recommend based upon your interest.

Another feature is Huddle, and I am very interested in this aspect. How many times have you sent out a text blast to your friends to see what is happening for the day or night? And don’t you wish that those same friends could see the responses from the others? Well now you can! Huddle turns the texts into a group chat.

Do you think Google+ can compete with Facebook? Do you think it will succeed or fail? What feature would you be most interested in?

Citation:

Google. Google+ Project. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.google.com/+/demo/