As an innovative form of healthcare delivery, telemedicine involves technology and process changes that will profoundly affect the organizations into which it is introduced. However, few comprehensive studies have been conducted to determine the impact on organizations that implement such a healthcare delivery process. This paper examines some of the issues that will be studied during Project A...

CONTEXT Physician profiling is widely used by many health care systems, but little is known about the reliability of commonly used profiling systems. OBJECTIVES To determine the reliability of a set of physician performance measures for diabetes care, one of the most common conditions in medical practice, and to examine whether physicians could substantially improve their profiles by preferen...

Provider groups taking on risk for the overall costs of care in accountable care organizations are developing care management programs to improve care and thereby control costs. Many such programs target "high-need, high-cost" patients: those with multiple or complex conditions, often combined with behavioral health problems or socioeconomic challenges. In this study we compared the operational...

BACKGROUND It has become clear in recent years that a healthy lifestyle, including physical exercise is crucial for health maintenance. Nevertheless, most people do not exercise regularly. Physician intervention is beneficial in increasing patient exercise. In Israel, the 1994 "Sports Law" regarding exercising in a gymnasium requires a physician's written authorization, but does not direct the ...

Clinical pharmacist practitioners serve as integral team members in primary care clinics. They extend the care provided for patients with chronic illnesses, improve health and wellness, and positively impact quality metrics in patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations.

Objective. To evaluate the noncompliance treatment rates among primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) Arab patients in Israel and to verify the associated factors for noncompliance. Patients and Methods. A cross-sectional study took place using a questionnaire. Patients were initially interviewed and requested to answer a questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed based on a pilot test. Items i...

BACKGROUND While the main focus of accreditation initiatives has been on hospitals, the implementation of these programs is a relatively new notion among other types of healthcare facilities. Correspondingly, this study aims to understand how accreditation is perceived among primary public healthcare centers using an isomorphic institutional theory. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY Semi-structured, in-dept...