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Dr. Jason Connelly of Novant Health West Rowan Family Medicine in North Carolina insists on a crucial point: the inflexibility of certain healthcare standards may inadvertently hinder patient care. This concern comes amidst a broader conversation surrounding the implementation of mandatory depression screening, as required by a 2017 regulation.
While such screenings aim to identify and address mental health concerns promptly, Connelly emphasizes that they often lack the nuance necessary for effective clinical practice. For instance, the requirement for follow-up assessments every four months, regardless of the severity of depression, fails to account for individual patient needs.
“A lot of times when these measures are implemented, they don’t align with the realities of clinical practice,” Connelly explained. “There needs to be room for flexibility to tailor follow-up schedules based on the specific needs of each patient.”
Connelly’s concerns are echoed in a recent report from the American College of Physicians (ACP), which assessed the effectiveness of existing quality measures in primary care for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The report found that the majority of performance measures lacked clinical relevance and failed to consider patient preferences.
According to Dr. Nick Fitterman, Chair of the ACP’s Performance Measurement Committee, the proliferation of performance measures can divert resources away from effective patient care. “We can get sidetracked and spend resources on measurements that don’t necessarily improve patient outcomes,” Fitterman remarked.
These sentiments underscore the need for a reevaluation of current practices, with a focus on enhancing patient-centered care. Dr. Amy Grace from Bassett Health in New York emphasized the importance of ensuring that measures align with clinical judgment and patient needs.
“We need to strike a balance between meeting regulatory requirements and providing individualized care,” Grace stated. “Patients deserve a healthcare system that prioritizes their well-being and respects their preferences.”
Moving forward, healthcare providers and policymakers must collaborate to refine existing measures and incorporate feedback from frontline clinicians. By prioritizing flexibility and patient-centered care, the healthcare system can better address the complex needs of individuals struggling with mental health issues.
This story was compiled from interviews with healthcare professionals and insights from the American College of Physicians (ACP).
