Abstract
The European Society of Radiology (ESR) established a Working Group on Value-Based Imaging (VBI WG) in August 2016 in response to developments in European healthcare systems in general, and the trend within radiology to move from volume- to value-based practice in particular. The value-based healthcare (VBH) concept defines “value” as health outcomes achieved for patients relative to the costs of achieving them. Within this framework, value measurements start at the beginning of therapy; the whole diagnostic process is disregarded, and is considered only if it is the cause of errors or complications. Making the case for a new, multidisciplinary organisation of healthcare delivery centred on the patient, this paper establishes the diagnosis of disease as a first outcome in the interrelated activities of the healthcare chain. Metrics are proposed for measuring the quality of radiologists’ diagnoses and the various ways in which radiologists provide value to patients, other medical specialists and healthcare systems at large. The ESR strongly believes value-based radiology (VBR) is a necessary complement to existing VBH concepts. The Society is determined to establish a holistic VBR programme to help European radiologists deal with changes in the evolution from volume- to value-based evaluation of radiological activities.Main Messages• Value-based healthcare defines value as patient’s outcome over costs.• The VBH framework disregards the diagnosis as an outcome.• VBH considers diagnosis only if wrong or a cause of complications.• A correct diagnosis is the first outcome that matters to patients.• Metrics to measure radiologists’ impacts on patient outcomes are key.• The value provided by radiology is multifaceted, going beyond exam volumes.
Highlights
The conceptLike those in other parts of the world, are increasingly facing difficulties in managing their national health systems
The European Society of Radiology (ESR) established a Working Group on Value-Based Imaging (VBI WG) in August 2016 in response to developments in European healthcare systems in general, and the trend within radiology to move from volume- to value-based practice in particular
Value is defined as health outcomes achieved for patients relative to the associated costs
Summary
Like those in other parts of the world, are increasingly facing difficulties in managing their national health systems. The concept of value-based healthcare (VBH) has emerged as a framework for achieving better results, considering first those factors that matter most to patients, while optimising, at the same time, the cost of care delivery within the health system. In a value-based healthcare environment, the whole organisation has to change, and care for any medical condition is given by dedicated multidisciplinary practice units with deep knowledge, a broad skill range and excellent facilities, which provide the full continuum of care to the patient Such a model allows, on one hand, the development of the expertise necessary to achieve better short-term and longterm outcomes and, on the other hand allows the measurement and optimisation of the costs involved in the whole cycle of care.
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