HealthSciences & Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts Form Partnership

The Boston-based Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts and HealthSciences Institute recently announced a partnership to deliver the Chronic Care Professional (CCP) training, certification and accreditation program to Massachusetts' home health care agencies. Read More>>

Population health management is one of the fastest growing fields in health care. It is also key to many new service and reimbursement provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordability Act of 2009 (health care reform). In the new health care environment, direct care and health management programs will increasingly be evaluated and reimbursed based on their ability to deliver measurable value. Read More>>

HealthSciences Institute continues to update the Chronic Care Professional (CCP) program to support the adaptation and application of traditional MI foundations and techniques to real world health care and health management settings. Read More>>

3rd Annual CCP Preconference Event DMAA Forum 2010

A third CCP preconference event is planned in conjunction with the DMAA Forum 2010 and Integrated Care Summit. The program covers the foundations of population health improvement, evidence-based medical care guidelines, and the latest brief motivational interviewing approaches and techniques. Attendees also complete the online CCP eLearning program and online certification examination within one year of registration. The entire blended learning program is 40 hours in length. Teams who complete CCP are eligible for CCP staff accreditation. Register now for this event. Space is limited. Learn More>>

Can Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) Reshape Health Care?

The Patient Protection and Affordability Act of 2009 (health care reform) includes the accountable care organization (ACO) as a promising new collaborative framework for physician practices, hospitals and other health care organizations. ACOs provide new incentives for sharing cost savings across service settings and providers. With all the talk about ACOs, many are wondering whether this will be just another CMS demonstration program, or a template for the future of health care. In the Chicago market—where CMS spends 25% more on care per Medicare patient, and ranks among the worst nationally at preventing rehospitalizations—Illinois's largest health system isn't waiting to find out. Advocate Health Care is taking aggressive steps now to curb the use of unnecessary diagnostic tests and prevent patients from being rehospitalized. Read More>>

Improving & Simplifying Care for Patients with Complex Conditions or Comorbidities

In the US, it is estimated that approximately 10% of patients account for 70% of total direct health care expenses. These patients also incur significant indirect costs due to excess disability, premature or avoidable institutionalization and burden to family caregivers. With the US population aging and health care costs rising, improving care for these patients is more than a moral imperative; it is a matter of economic security. According the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in 2009 the US Medicare program accounted for 19% of the US budget ($676 Billion)—second only Social Security, which accounted for 20% ($678 Billion). While care for these patients will never be easy or inexpensive, many quality and cost gaps stem from the lack of alignment between the acute care-oriented US health care system and the needs of people with chronic conditions—or end-of-life issues. Read More>>

Despite its many human and financial costs, depression is a chronic disease that is under-recognized, undertreated and poorly managed. Yet the prevalence of depression in the general population may be higher than previously thought—with estimates of 19% in Canadian studies. Individuals between 45 to 64 years of age are at particularly high risk according to US studies, with baby boomers being at the highest risk of suicide of any age group. On July 9th, the Population Health Improvement Learning Collaborative featured a groundbreaking presentation and discussion on depression and chronic illness with HealthSciences Institute Advisory Board Member Susan Benson, DNP, APRN, CCP. Dr. Benson shared important new developments in the genetics and neurobiology of depression, as well as practical steps for depression screening, depression and suicide risk management, evidence-based treatments, and strategies and tips for listening and talking to patients affected by depression. Read More>>

October 13-15, 2010

October 25-27, 2010

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza

Los Angeles, CA

HealthSciences Institute is now scheduling regional and onsite CCP training programs for 2010. The 1 or 1.5 day live program live CCP program supplements the 40-hour online CCP program, covering the foundations of health coaching, chronic care improvement and care management. Action learning and team activities are also included to prepare attendees to apply evidence-based health coaching techniques such as brief motivational interviewing to address patient engagement, treatment adherence and lifestyle management challenges. Learn more about CCP or contact us for information about new organization delivery options or how leading organizations are incorporating CCP into new hire orientation, clinical staff training and tuition reimbursement programs.

1-866-640-6060

www.HealthSciences.org