Value-based healthcare (VBH) is a framework for improving individual patient health outcomes per unit of expenditure. Highlighting radiology as a key component of healthcare, which impacts greatly on patient outcomes, the authors of the paper argue that it must be considered a vital element of VBH.
Adequate resourcing of radiology is required to maintain healthcare efficiency, and thus maximise value. Therefore, as part of the fundamental goal of enhancement of value for patients, radiology must be a component of any formula to assess costs against outcomes in healthcare. The calculation of value metrics, and resourcing decisions based on such calculations, must take account of the need to resource radiology adequately to maintain its value contribution.By embracing the principles of value-based healthcare, it is believed that radiology can contribute to moving to a value-driven system, where all investigations or interventions contribute positively to patient outcomes. The paper lays out nine steps that can be taken to support this endeavour.
Amongst experts involved in the paper’s publication were ESR Past-President Prof. Lorenzo E. Derchi, ESR President Prof. Michael Fuchsjäger and ESR 2nd Vice-President Dr. Adrian Brady.
To read the paper, click here.