Introduction
The stable and practical work of the healthcare sector is one of the significant determinants of the country’s well-being and its ability to evolve. It is one of the significant factors impacting the state of the nation, its health, and the level of individuals’ satisfaction with the models used by care providers to ensure patients are treated appropriately. For this reason, efforts to optimize health system performance are central to meeting the existing needs of the people.
Contemporary society is characterized by attempts to introduce new models that will be more effective and contribute to better outcomes. The shifts from old approaches towards new ones, along with the emergence of new principles, are one of the most notable processes observed in healthcare nowadays. Thus, the emergence of the Triple Aim model can be linked to the shift toward a new paradigm of care delivery and collaboration with clients.
Article Analysis
Numerous resources discuss the Triple Aim framework as part of the healthcare sector. The article by Lacagnina (2019) focuses on the peculiarities of the model and its major components. The author emphasizes the focal points of the paradigm, such as patient experience, quality of care, and patient satisfaction (Lacagnina, 2019). These components are fundamental for the effective delivery of care to clients and ensuring their conditions are improved.
Lacagnina (2019) defines every component of the Triple Aim model to improve the overall understanding of how care providers should organize cooperation with patients and promote better outcomes. At the same time, the researcher outlines the shift from free-for-service to value-based care models (Lacagnina, 2019). It relates to the value of the delivered care or whether a person feels an improvement in their state (Lacagnina, 2019). Reflecting on the pros and cons of the model, the author acknowledges that it may be expanded to include new vital incentives, such as physician satisfaction, which is a crucial determinant of quality (Lacagnina, 2019). The paper fosters a deeper understanding of the Triple Aim and its significance.
Free-for-Service and Value-Based Models
In this way, the article demonstrates that the Triple Aim is supported by a reconsideration of the healthcare sector’s work. The free-for-service models are replaced with value-based payments, which impact the work of health units within the state. The transition from volume to value models results in the emergence of alternative payment and cost models (Kokko, 2021).
The Triple Aim goals influence the value-based models, indicating that quality and cost play central roles in the healthcare sector (Kokko, 2021). Reducing care costs is a key concept of the Triple Aim approach, as it is expected to lead to increased patient satisfaction (Kokko, 2021). At the same time, the ability to measure the outcomes and determine the appropriate payment is essential for selecting plans and approaches to treatment. In general, the combination of value-based models and the Triple Aim paradigm yields favorable results, reduces total costs, and improves care delivery (Nash et al., 2019). In such a way, this step is essential for the further development of the healthcare sector and its ability to meet clients’ needs.
Main Principles
The shift towards the new framework is supported by formulating the basic principles to cultivate value-based care. For instance, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) introduces a list of six major principles. The necessity of driving continuous quality improvement is one of the assumptions offered by AFFP (Nash et al., 2019).
This idea is core to the modern healthcare sector, as it emphasizes the need for an iterative change process that helps reconsider outdated care delivery models and introduces new ones. The scope of challenges and problems grows yearly, meaning that the inability to evolve will be fatal for the sector. That is why continuous quality improvement is a core principle that should guide the rise of value-based models.
Moreover, AFFP admits the importance of providing care to all populations. One of the principles outlines the need to promote health equity for all (Nash et al., 2019). Considering the modern requirements for inclusion and diversity, it should be the primary guideline for delivering care. Equity implies that all people, regardless of their background, have access to high-quality, necessary care (Nash et al., 2019).
Unfortunately, despite numerous attempts to create fair systems, disparities persist in the delivery of treatment. Many individuals face barriers due to their race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Under these conditions, cultivating health equity is crucial for existing value-based models and meeting the diverse demands of clients.
Conclusion
Altogether, the emergence of the Triple Aim led to specific shifts in how care delivery is organized. It focuses on patient experience, quality of care, and patient satisfaction. The model is supported by a value-based framework, which leads to alterations in payments and a reconsideration of the cost of treatment. As a result, better results are acquired, and the basis for new improvements is established. Furthermore, the principles formulated by AAFP help establish value-based care, ensuring that clinicians can work effectively within new settings and treat their patients.
References
Kokko, P. (2021). Improving the value of healthcare systems using the Triple Aim framework: A systematic literature review. Health Policy, 126(4), 302-309.
Lacagnina S. (2019). The Triple Aim plus more. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 13(1), 42–43.
Nash, D. B., Skoufalos, A., Fabius, R. J., & Oglesby, W. H. (2019). Population health: Creating a culture of wellness(3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.