On March 21, 2017, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) released a discussion paper entitled Vital Directions for Health and Health Care Priorities from a National Academy of Medicine Initiative. The discussion paper identifies eight “vital directions” to advance healthcare policy. The report was the subject of a recent column by David Ignatius of The Washington Post, available here.
This discussion paper is the culmination of an initiative launched by NAM to determine a set of healthcare policy directions that could address concerns over inefficiencies, costs, and inequities in healthcare delivery. In 2016, NAM convened a bipartisan steering committee and 19 working groups to analyze policy issues impacting the U.S. healthcare system and infrastructure. The eight vital directions identified in this discussion paper were the elements common across the nineteen working groups.
The discussion paper divides the eight vital directions into four “action priorities” and four “essential infrastructure needs.” The action priorities address “the greatest contributors to deficiencies” in the healthcare system but are likely to result in the greatest impact and progress. The four action priorities are:
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“Pay for value – deliver better health and better results for all”;
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“Empower people – democratize action for health”;
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“Activate communities – collaborate to mobilize resources for health progress”; and
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“Connect care – implement seamless digital interfaces for best care.”
According to the discussion paper, the four essential infrastructure needs are the necessary underpinnings that will help “strengthen the impact” and “ensure the success” of the action priorities. The essential infrastructure needs are:
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“Measure what matters most – use consistent core metrics to sharpen focus and performance”;
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“Modernize skills – train the workforce for 21st century health care and biomedical science”;
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“Accelerate real-world evidence – derive evidence from each core experience”; and
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“Advance science – forge innovation-ready clinical research processes and partnerships.”
Additional information and resources related to this initiative can be found here.
