Authors James Walker, MD, and Aaron McKethan, PhD, compare this ACO-philosophy to Lance Armstrong’s thoughts on winning the Tour de France. He once said that while advanced equipment — like sophisticated bikes — is crucial, winning ultimately depends on the athletes’ skill, physical conditioning and race-day effort.
The authors say for ACOs to work, “careful attention should be devoted to developing the organizational and technological competencies of the ‘athletes’ that will use ACOs to achieve accountable, high-value care.” These core competencies include:
• Evidence-based and patient-centered care.
• Coordinated efforts of all members of patients’ care teams.
• Leveraging information technologies to support, evaluate and refine care processes.
Related Articles on ACOs:
Survey: 55% of Payors Plan to Participate in ACOs Over Next 3 Years
Survey: 57% Hospital Leaders Still Unsure About ACO Participation
Names of 32 Pioneer ACOs Released
