Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare, New Delhi explains how synergy and segmentation, both the states influence patient outcomes and the overall efficiency of healthcare systems
The medical field often oscillates between two states: synergy – where different specialties collaborate to provide holistic care, and segmentation, where departments work in silos, potentially leading to a fragmented approach to patient treatment.
Silos have the potential to impede operational efficiency and patient satisfaction resulting in failure to optimise productivity and workplace culture.
Both the states influence patient outcomes and the overall efficiency of healthcare systems.
Synergy in medical sciences
A synergistic approach in medical sciences highlights how specialties can collaborate to address a complex medical problem leveraging their unique expertise to achieve better outcomes.
Neurologists and neurosurgeons for instance can collaborate on cases that may require surgical interventions by combining their expertise.
Neurologists ensure accurate diagnosis and monitor recovery while neurosurgeons focus on delivering precise surgical solutions. This collaborative care reduces delays, improves patient outcomes and creates a seamless continuum of care.
Likewise, cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons can work in tandem to treat complex heart conditions blending diagnostic precision with surgical excellence.
In oncology, multidisciplinary tumor boards bring together medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists to design comprehensive treatment plans that optimise therapies and address the patient’s needs holistically.
This synergistic approach not only elevates patient outcomes through a multidisciplinary approach but also enhances communication and reduces duplication of diagnostic tests and fosters innovation by encouraging knowledge-sharing across departments.
Segmentation in medical sciences
Segmentation – the tendency of medical departments to work in siloes focusing narrowly on their domain has become a medical challenge. This fragmented approach often leads to ‘tunnel vision’ in patient care. There is potential for silos to impede operational efficiency and patient satisfaction, leading to failure to optimise productivity.
Take oncology for instance, medical and surgical oncologists may work independently, leading to disjointed treatment plans. A patient may receive chemotherapy without timely surgical interventions or vice versa. This lack of communication can result in treatment delays or suboptimal outcomes.
Similarly in gastroenterology and radiology, the lack of synergy is apparent Gastroenterologists handle gut-related conditions but may not always collaborate with radiologists for imaging interpretations, such as CT scans or MRI. Radiologists may identify abnormalities without sufficient clinical context, leading to gaps in diagnosis and potentially delaying effective treatment.
Orthopaedics is another area where segmentation can lead to poor patient care. Orthopaedic surgeons often focus solely on surgical solutions, while physical therapists work on rehabilitation.
Segmentation in orthopaedics can have far reaching consequences such as delayed or fragmented care, redundant diagnostics or treatments, missed opportunities for comprehensive management, increased healthcare costs and heightened patient frustration.
Segmentation can lead to tunnel vision, where specialists focus narrowly on their area of expertise and fail to consider the broader patient context:
A cardiologist might overlook a patient’s underlying kidney disease while prescribing medications, leading to adverse effects. An oncologist might treat a tumor aggressively without accounting for a patient’s frailty or comorbid conditions.
Strategies to overcome segmentation
Overcoming segmentation in healthcare requires a concerted effort to break down siloes and create a uniform approach to optimise patient care. Some of the ways to ensure medical and surgical teams work in harmony include
Interdisciplinary collaboration where multiple teams work together is the cornerstone of integrated care. Establishing regular case discussions between departments such as tumor boards, morbidity and mortality reviews enhance communication and shared decision making.
Integrated patient pathways: Establishing streamlined workflows ensure that patients move seamlessly between departments avoiding delays and redundancies in treatment.
Education and training: Cross-specialty training better equips doctors to have a broader perspective on interconnected health issues. For example, orthopaedic surgeons with rehabilitation insights can better guide patient recovery.
Technology and data sharing: Centralised electronic health records (EHRs) ensure all departments have access to up-to-date patient data. This is essential to avoid diagnostic overlap and promote a holistic approach to patient care.
Institutional culture: A culture of collaboration must be nurtured at all levels. By valuing teamwork over individual achievements, healthcare organisations can create spaces where patient’s concerns are addressed comprehensively.
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