Advancing evidence-based care for diabetes: lessons from the Veterans Health Administration.
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a unique laboratory for using the electronic health record (EHR) to transform health care and accelerate discovery. This is particularly evident in the care of veterans with diabetes, who constitute a quarter of those served by the VHA. Although EHRs have enabled rapid learning, additional factors were necessary, including the lead participation of clinician-investigators, accountability through performance measurement, a delivery system focused on population health, and favorable economic externalities. "Off-the-shelf" technology is unlikely to generate similar benefits if these attributes are not in place.
Kupersmith
Joel
J
Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, USA. Joel.Kupersmith@va.gov
Francis
Joseph
J
Kerr
Eve
E
Krein
Sarah
S
Pogach
Leonard
L
Kolodner
Robert M
RM
Perlin
Jonathan B
JB
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011050:Policy Making; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012946:Social Welfare; D013672:Technology; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs