Five ways to prepare for the future

We asked a number of technology leaders for suggestions on what treatment center executives should prepare for in the future. Here are a few of their tips.

1

Patients with behavioral health disorders must be approached the same way as patients with other life-threatening conditions, says Chris Williams, marketing director for the Echo Group. “Rally around them and lift them up the way we would a cancer survivor,” he says. And clinical outcomes data can be the key to telling success stories in the industry.

2

According to Cory Valentine, vice president of sales and marketing for Sigmund Software, providers need to pay attention to patient engagement, especially when it comes to wellness. “Patients want to hear from their providers in sickness and in health,” he says. Engagement will reduce recidivism as well. “It’s going to become the cornerstone of healthcare,” Valentine says.

3

“Make sure that you can connect and interoperate with other healthcare providers,” says David Klements, president and CEO of Qualifacts. He says the people and the process must be considered to ensure organizations are able to optimize workflows, especially now in the emerging era of value-based payment models.

4

There’s a lot of competition in the addiction treatment space right now says Matt Dorman, founder and CEO of Credible. “It’s not only about capturing the documentation of the interaction, but it’s about using technology as a competitive tool,” he says. Understanding costs, for example, can provide a strategic advantage.

5

Netsmart leaders recommend preparing for a greater shift toward value-based payments. “You want to access value-based data at specific points. It’s all about managing costs,” says Paul Anderson, executive vice president of client organization. Netsmart also recommends creating detailed clinical decision support at the point of care.