1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,319 This is Laura Deirdre with the Becker's Healthcare 2 00:00:02,319 --> 00:00:04,480 podcast. I'm thrilled today to be joined by 3 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:05,779 doctor Ibrahim Barkuda, 4 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:08,400 system chief and regional chief medical officer at 5 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:10,559 Baystate Health. Doctor Barkuda, it's a pleasure to 6 00:00:10,559 --> 00:00:11,939 have you on the podcast today. 7 00:00:12,324 --> 00:00:15,205 Lara, good morning, and it's true privilege to 8 00:00:15,205 --> 00:00:16,664 be on Becker's, 9 00:00:17,524 --> 00:00:19,304 podcast. Thank you for having me. 10 00:00:19,844 --> 00:00:21,765 Yeah. My pleasure. My pleasure. And, you know, 11 00:00:21,765 --> 00:00:23,684 I'm really excited for our discussion because I 12 00:00:23,684 --> 00:00:24,884 I know there's a lot going on at 13 00:00:24,884 --> 00:00:26,105 Baystate and truly, 14 00:00:26,689 --> 00:00:28,929 fascinating to see some of the cool things 15 00:00:28,929 --> 00:00:29,730 that you're doing, 16 00:00:30,129 --> 00:00:32,210 on multiple fronts. But before we dive in, 17 00:00:32,210 --> 00:00:33,729 I'm wondering, could you tell us a little 18 00:00:33,729 --> 00:00:36,469 bit about Baystate Health? What makes you unique? 19 00:00:37,489 --> 00:00:39,350 Awesome. So we have 20 00:00:40,335 --> 00:00:42,895 many aspects we like to share, with the 21 00:00:42,895 --> 00:00:45,234 audience. So, I'm Abraham Barkuda. 22 00:00:46,015 --> 00:00:48,254 As you said, the, system chief and the 23 00:00:48,254 --> 00:00:48,754 regional, 24 00:00:49,454 --> 00:00:52,015 chief medical and quality officer here at Baystate 25 00:00:52,015 --> 00:00:53,399 Health in Massachusetts. Massachusetts. 26 00:00:54,179 --> 00:00:55,000 Our organization 27 00:00:55,300 --> 00:00:57,159 is not for profit integrated, 28 00:00:58,020 --> 00:00:59,800 teaching health care system, 29 00:01:00,340 --> 00:01:02,920 headquartered in, Springfield, Massachusetts. 30 00:01:03,620 --> 00:01:06,900 We serve closer to a million patients throughout 31 00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:08,200 Western New England. 32 00:01:08,795 --> 00:01:09,355 We have, 33 00:01:10,314 --> 00:01:14,015 integrated academic network of four adult hospitals 34 00:01:14,715 --> 00:01:17,995 and one, children's hospital that, we are the 35 00:01:17,995 --> 00:01:20,094 leader in our, region. 36 00:01:20,579 --> 00:01:21,319 Our workforce, 37 00:01:22,659 --> 00:01:23,140 over, 38 00:01:23,780 --> 00:01:25,079 13,000 members, 39 00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:26,920 within our system 40 00:01:27,379 --> 00:01:27,879 that, 41 00:01:28,500 --> 00:01:32,659 spanning closer now, to 90, medical and surgical 42 00:01:32,659 --> 00:01:33,159 practices. 43 00:01:34,004 --> 00:01:36,484 We do have the full spectrum of health 44 00:01:36,484 --> 00:01:37,604 care delivery. We have, 45 00:01:38,245 --> 00:01:39,765 closer to 60,000 46 00:01:39,765 --> 00:01:40,905 discharges annually, 47 00:01:41,204 --> 00:01:43,224 closer to 5,000 birth. 48 00:01:43,844 --> 00:01:46,424 We serve our community here in Western, 49 00:01:46,885 --> 00:01:47,545 New England, 50 00:01:48,004 --> 00:01:50,379 closer to, 37,000 51 00:01:50,379 --> 00:01:50,879 surgeries, 52 00:01:51,739 --> 00:01:52,700 80 53 00:01:52,700 --> 00:01:54,879 emergency and urgent care visits. 54 00:01:55,420 --> 00:01:58,319 Our network is a leader of, innovations 55 00:01:58,620 --> 00:02:02,560 and, health care advancing advancements, and we always 56 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:05,334 strive to improve patient outcomes and experience. 57 00:02:06,674 --> 00:02:07,814 My role is, 58 00:02:09,394 --> 00:02:10,775 focus or encompasses 59 00:02:11,074 --> 00:02:11,574 the, 60 00:02:12,034 --> 00:02:12,914 system based, 61 00:02:13,235 --> 00:02:16,455 optimization in clinical operations, mostly on the inpatient 62 00:02:17,310 --> 00:02:20,050 side, advancing quality initiatives across, 63 00:02:20,669 --> 00:02:22,050 our hospitals and 64 00:02:22,750 --> 00:02:23,250 enhancing, 65 00:02:24,030 --> 00:02:25,250 the resource allocation 66 00:02:25,550 --> 00:02:28,030 to know how to serve our patient in 67 00:02:28,030 --> 00:02:28,930 the right bed, 68 00:02:29,705 --> 00:02:31,865 on the right service with the right, 69 00:02:32,504 --> 00:02:34,685 care providers, physician, and clinicians. 70 00:02:36,105 --> 00:02:37,865 As you know, I need always to make 71 00:02:37,865 --> 00:02:38,185 that, 72 00:02:38,665 --> 00:02:40,205 small disclosure. I'm 73 00:02:40,504 --> 00:02:42,764 still privileged to see patients directly, 74 00:02:43,539 --> 00:02:45,860 here at Baystate Health and and work with 75 00:02:45,860 --> 00:02:48,180 our residents and fellows and, 76 00:02:48,500 --> 00:02:51,539 our students from UMass. And and I I 77 00:02:51,539 --> 00:02:53,959 find that, clinical and administrative 78 00:02:54,340 --> 00:02:54,840 responsibilities, 79 00:02:55,544 --> 00:02:58,104 the most fulfilling aspect of what we do 80 00:02:58,104 --> 00:02:59,084 in health care 81 00:02:59,384 --> 00:03:01,564 to to focus on that foundational 82 00:03:01,864 --> 00:03:03,004 purpose of, 83 00:03:04,104 --> 00:03:05,324 serving every individual 84 00:03:05,704 --> 00:03:07,004 and at the same time, 85 00:03:07,384 --> 00:03:09,840 take care also of the families and and 86 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:12,260 and have that enhancement when we, 87 00:03:12,719 --> 00:03:15,360 work on a system wide improvement of the 88 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:16,340 health care delivery. 89 00:03:16,879 --> 00:03:18,080 I hope that gave, 90 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:20,400 the audience the big picture, what we do 91 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,814 here at Baystate, and how we take care 92 00:03:22,814 --> 00:03:23,794 of our community, 93 00:03:24,495 --> 00:03:27,135 and at large when we, server a region 94 00:03:27,135 --> 00:03:28,194 with our integrated, 95 00:03:28,735 --> 00:03:29,715 clinical network. 96 00:03:30,814 --> 00:03:32,974 Oh, absolutely. And, you know, certainly, it's such 97 00:03:32,974 --> 00:03:34,835 a great service you provide to the community. 98 00:03:34,895 --> 00:03:36,115 It's such a needed, 99 00:03:36,789 --> 00:03:39,370 services for the health care system. And certainly, 100 00:03:39,669 --> 00:03:41,669 you know, being able to have someone with 101 00:03:41,669 --> 00:03:43,129 your type of passion and dedication, 102 00:03:43,989 --> 00:03:46,229 really leading the charge for a lot of 103 00:03:46,229 --> 00:03:46,789 the different, 104 00:03:47,349 --> 00:03:50,150 organizational and clinical things happening there is really 105 00:03:50,150 --> 00:03:50,650 amazing. 106 00:03:51,025 --> 00:03:53,264 And, you know, I'm wondering from your perspective, 107 00:03:53,264 --> 00:03:55,745 what are some of the biggest accomplishments that 108 00:03:55,745 --> 00:03:57,025 you had from the last year? What are 109 00:03:57,025 --> 00:03:58,165 you most proud of? 110 00:03:59,185 --> 00:04:01,844 I'm proud of our team, in health care. 111 00:04:02,305 --> 00:04:05,330 Laura, as as we all know, it's it's 112 00:04:05,330 --> 00:04:06,870 not the I, it's the we. 113 00:04:08,049 --> 00:04:09,430 Our leadership, our, 114 00:04:09,969 --> 00:04:11,590 clinical team delivery 115 00:04:12,049 --> 00:04:12,549 apparatus 116 00:04:12,849 --> 00:04:14,069 achieved many milestones. 117 00:04:15,090 --> 00:04:16,709 We start focusing more, 118 00:04:17,490 --> 00:04:18,814 on the active 119 00:04:19,275 --> 00:04:19,775 management, 120 00:04:20,875 --> 00:04:24,154 specifically when we integrate that digital analytics in 121 00:04:24,154 --> 00:04:25,535 our clinical delivery 122 00:04:25,995 --> 00:04:28,395 and focus on the inpatient volume and the 123 00:04:28,395 --> 00:04:30,814 ED flow. It's the midst of the winner. 124 00:04:31,229 --> 00:04:32,930 It's where our hospitals, 125 00:04:34,430 --> 00:04:35,569 battling with 126 00:04:36,349 --> 00:04:38,750 the the flu, the respiratory illnesses, and the 127 00:04:38,750 --> 00:04:41,069 chronic diseases that we need to know how 128 00:04:41,069 --> 00:04:42,269 to allocate that, 129 00:04:43,069 --> 00:04:45,229 work and resources to serve the patient. And 130 00:04:45,229 --> 00:04:46,849 and the goal here is to 131 00:04:47,305 --> 00:04:49,625 our team was able to think about how 132 00:04:49,625 --> 00:04:52,504 that transition would allow us to think about 133 00:04:52,504 --> 00:04:53,644 the clinical challenges 134 00:04:54,105 --> 00:04:54,584 and, 135 00:04:54,985 --> 00:04:55,485 create 136 00:04:55,785 --> 00:04:58,125 optimized pathways in real time. 137 00:04:58,584 --> 00:04:59,464 I'm gonna zoom in on, 138 00:05:00,745 --> 00:05:01,245 specifications 139 00:05:01,865 --> 00:05:02,365 of 140 00:05:03,169 --> 00:05:06,229 how we foster that synergy between the ED, 141 00:05:06,849 --> 00:05:10,050 our emergency departments across our system, and our 142 00:05:10,050 --> 00:05:10,550 inpatient, 143 00:05:11,569 --> 00:05:15,349 providers and really bring that patient flow management 144 00:05:15,409 --> 00:05:15,909 where, 145 00:05:16,435 --> 00:05:18,435 we need to make sure we reduce our 146 00:05:18,435 --> 00:05:19,254 ED borders, 147 00:05:20,115 --> 00:05:21,014 bring the patients, 148 00:05:21,555 --> 00:05:22,774 to receive the care, 149 00:05:23,714 --> 00:05:24,214 always 150 00:05:24,595 --> 00:05:27,394 faster and better, and really focus on the 151 00:05:27,394 --> 00:05:27,894 patient 152 00:05:28,289 --> 00:05:29,909 experience and their caregiver's 153 00:05:30,209 --> 00:05:32,449 experience. I would like also to bring one 154 00:05:32,449 --> 00:05:34,310 of the achievements is is, 155 00:05:35,089 --> 00:05:37,189 how we can improve also the documentation 156 00:05:37,649 --> 00:05:39,329 and how we can relate it to the 157 00:05:39,329 --> 00:05:39,829 quality 158 00:05:40,449 --> 00:05:42,550 in, value based care 159 00:05:43,725 --> 00:05:45,964 era where we need to make sure also 160 00:05:45,964 --> 00:05:49,404 that we're we're allocating the resources and and 161 00:05:49,404 --> 00:05:52,865 really put that triage decisions in terms of, 162 00:05:53,564 --> 00:05:56,285 how the patient could be served on a 163 00:05:56,285 --> 00:05:59,449 sub sub sub specialty and how the general 164 00:05:59,509 --> 00:06:03,289 patient would be, also serve and and their, 165 00:06:03,669 --> 00:06:04,649 clinical outcomes 166 00:06:05,029 --> 00:06:08,089 would fulfill our mission in value based care. 167 00:06:08,310 --> 00:06:10,229 A lot of great stuff. We are able 168 00:06:10,229 --> 00:06:13,485 to, work our link to stay, that synergy 169 00:06:13,485 --> 00:06:14,865 taking down the silos, 170 00:06:15,485 --> 00:06:18,685 among the departments and have that, flow again 171 00:06:18,685 --> 00:06:20,845 from the ED to the inpatient to the 172 00:06:20,845 --> 00:06:21,345 discharge. 173 00:06:21,964 --> 00:06:24,704 We put on more of our digital, 174 00:06:25,829 --> 00:06:27,689 dashboards to measure our, 175 00:06:28,229 --> 00:06:29,370 outcomes and, 176 00:06:29,909 --> 00:06:30,889 really benchmark, 177 00:06:31,589 --> 00:06:34,629 regionally and nationally of how, again, can deliver 178 00:06:34,629 --> 00:06:35,689 the care faster, 179 00:06:36,469 --> 00:06:38,889 and serve our patients and their families. 180 00:06:40,134 --> 00:06:42,314 I love that. And truly being able to, 181 00:06:42,774 --> 00:06:44,774 dig into that value based care side of 182 00:06:44,774 --> 00:06:46,774 things, figure out how you can leverage the 183 00:06:46,774 --> 00:06:47,274 data, 184 00:06:47,975 --> 00:06:50,055 to your advantage, not only on the clinical 185 00:06:50,055 --> 00:06:52,290 side, but on the operational side as well. 186 00:06:52,529 --> 00:06:54,529 So you have that type of care that 187 00:06:54,529 --> 00:06:57,330 really patients deserve. So that that's amazing to 188 00:06:57,330 --> 00:06:59,810 hear and and definitely great that you've seen 189 00:06:59,810 --> 00:07:02,449 some of the results coming through those efforts 190 00:07:02,449 --> 00:07:04,694 and initiatives to work as a team and, 191 00:07:05,175 --> 00:07:07,035 really bring forth better outcomes. 192 00:07:07,735 --> 00:07:10,295 From your perspective, what are you setting what 193 00:07:10,295 --> 00:07:12,714 are the goals that you're setting for 2025? 194 00:07:14,134 --> 00:07:17,014 We, the team, we have a, I would 195 00:07:17,014 --> 00:07:19,830 say, clarity of, what would be, 196 00:07:20,210 --> 00:07:21,970 the goals. I'm gonna go back to the 197 00:07:21,970 --> 00:07:22,949 value based, 198 00:07:23,410 --> 00:07:23,910 care. 199 00:07:25,250 --> 00:07:27,029 We we'll be shifting more, 200 00:07:27,569 --> 00:07:28,389 and hopefully, 201 00:07:29,009 --> 00:07:30,069 departure completely 202 00:07:30,370 --> 00:07:32,470 from that fee for service, 203 00:07:32,855 --> 00:07:35,274 care delivery where we focus on, 204 00:07:35,814 --> 00:07:36,375 the value. 205 00:07:37,814 --> 00:07:40,074 The second part, which I always, 206 00:07:41,014 --> 00:07:42,875 go back and and reexamine 207 00:07:43,574 --> 00:07:44,074 is 208 00:07:45,029 --> 00:07:46,810 the the health care delivery 209 00:07:47,350 --> 00:07:48,970 should focus on an integrated 210 00:07:49,350 --> 00:07:50,170 care networks 211 00:07:50,550 --> 00:07:52,949 and take down all the silos and and 212 00:07:52,949 --> 00:07:56,410 integrate the primary care to specialist to inpatient 213 00:07:56,550 --> 00:07:59,050 services and back to the community health resources. 214 00:07:59,990 --> 00:08:02,935 That would be essential of how we can 215 00:08:02,935 --> 00:08:04,314 manage chronic diseases. 216 00:08:05,175 --> 00:08:07,654 For this, we start thinking a little bit 217 00:08:07,654 --> 00:08:09,354 more of your, in the future. 218 00:08:09,735 --> 00:08:12,074 And the the future is just like look. 219 00:08:12,134 --> 00:08:12,629 It's 220 00:08:12,949 --> 00:08:16,310 probably now the terminology is always around AI, 221 00:08:16,310 --> 00:08:18,250 but I would like to bring it more 222 00:08:18,709 --> 00:08:22,009 to our patients and and our care providers, 223 00:08:22,069 --> 00:08:23,370 the clinicians that 224 00:08:23,830 --> 00:08:26,470 if we could do better in 2025 225 00:08:26,470 --> 00:08:27,209 and keep, 226 00:08:28,024 --> 00:08:30,665 focusing on how we put the patient in 227 00:08:30,665 --> 00:08:34,125 the in the center of our care 228 00:08:34,504 --> 00:08:37,304 delivery, we're always closer to that. We have 229 00:08:37,304 --> 00:08:39,625 a a lot of tools that 2025 230 00:08:39,625 --> 00:08:40,125 will, 231 00:08:40,585 --> 00:08:41,085 definitely, 232 00:08:42,105 --> 00:08:44,860 bring to us the prediction model of risk, 233 00:08:45,259 --> 00:08:47,360 in terms of population management. 234 00:08:47,899 --> 00:08:50,220 I hope we're gonna see and we will 235 00:08:50,220 --> 00:08:51,259 see more of, 236 00:08:51,820 --> 00:08:52,879 preventing errors 237 00:08:53,340 --> 00:08:53,840 and 238 00:08:54,379 --> 00:08:56,320 have more of the, administrative 239 00:08:56,940 --> 00:08:58,320 tasks that been done 240 00:08:59,204 --> 00:09:02,245 for small part by AI, have it more 241 00:09:02,245 --> 00:09:03,865 integrated with our workflow. 242 00:09:04,565 --> 00:09:07,704 It's something I've been I've been very passionate 243 00:09:07,764 --> 00:09:08,245 about. 244 00:09:08,964 --> 00:09:12,245 From our base state, to our community, we 245 00:09:12,245 --> 00:09:13,704 want to make sure we 246 00:09:14,100 --> 00:09:17,559 deliver more efficient care. We create that inpatient 247 00:09:17,860 --> 00:09:20,440 capacity so we can bring the patient again 248 00:09:20,500 --> 00:09:22,820 to the inpatient setting and deliver care when 249 00:09:22,820 --> 00:09:24,980 they come with an acute on chronic else 250 00:09:25,139 --> 00:09:25,639 illnesses. 251 00:09:26,075 --> 00:09:28,475 And and make sure these bottlenecks, the, 252 00:09:28,955 --> 00:09:30,654 the weight in the ED, the, 253 00:09:30,955 --> 00:09:32,975 leaving the ED without being 254 00:09:33,274 --> 00:09:35,214 seen, it's a it's an opportunity, 255 00:09:36,075 --> 00:09:39,049 for our inpatient services to create that access 256 00:09:39,049 --> 00:09:40,190 and bring the patient, 257 00:09:40,970 --> 00:09:43,230 closer again to the right bed. 258 00:09:43,610 --> 00:09:45,950 Twenty twenty five, will be exciting. 259 00:09:46,330 --> 00:09:48,809 We will know more how to manage these 260 00:09:48,809 --> 00:09:52,095 surges in the hospital volume that we see 261 00:09:52,095 --> 00:09:52,595 nationwide 262 00:09:53,294 --> 00:09:55,455 and and how we could also manage the 263 00:09:55,455 --> 00:09:57,075 respiratory illnesses season 264 00:09:57,615 --> 00:09:58,595 and also integrate 265 00:09:59,054 --> 00:10:01,794 what we learned from the pandemic going forward. 266 00:10:02,975 --> 00:10:04,274 Many new trends, 267 00:10:04,735 --> 00:10:05,634 coming on. 268 00:10:06,590 --> 00:10:09,970 Laura, something relates to digital health, something related 269 00:10:10,029 --> 00:10:11,570 of how we can do efficiency. 270 00:10:11,950 --> 00:10:14,269 I'm gonna bring back the value based care 271 00:10:14,269 --> 00:10:16,110 and say, this is the way to go, 272 00:10:16,110 --> 00:10:18,284 and I hope we'll see more of 273 00:10:19,485 --> 00:10:22,044 module that would deliver that care to our 274 00:10:22,044 --> 00:10:22,544 patients. 275 00:10:23,644 --> 00:10:26,284 Well, it's fascinating to hear. And, definitely, thinking 276 00:10:26,284 --> 00:10:27,504 through how you can, 277 00:10:28,365 --> 00:10:29,964 get to that space where you have more 278 00:10:29,964 --> 00:10:32,284 value based care where you're able to leverage 279 00:10:32,284 --> 00:10:33,179 the technology 280 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:34,139 and digital 281 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:36,840 capabilities in the right way while also, you 282 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:38,840 know, working as a team and and having 283 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:39,340 everyone, 284 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:42,440 on the care team, you know, pulling in 285 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:43,340 the same direction. 286 00:10:44,615 --> 00:10:47,014 I'm I'm curious from your perspective, what will 287 00:10:47,014 --> 00:10:48,794 it take to really get to that reality 288 00:10:48,855 --> 00:10:49,834 where you see, 289 00:10:50,294 --> 00:10:53,014 being able to leverage and utilize value based 290 00:10:53,014 --> 00:10:54,694 care in a meaningful way or a more 291 00:10:54,694 --> 00:10:55,674 meaningful way? 292 00:10:56,694 --> 00:10:58,855 Is it really on the technology side? Is 293 00:10:58,855 --> 00:10:59,014 it, 294 00:10:59,830 --> 00:11:00,730 thinking through, 295 00:11:01,029 --> 00:11:01,769 on the, 296 00:11:02,389 --> 00:11:05,589 person kind of culture, procedure, policies? What will 297 00:11:05,589 --> 00:11:06,970 it really take to get there? 298 00:11:07,990 --> 00:11:10,730 Been been thinking about about that integration, 299 00:11:11,269 --> 00:11:13,355 Lara, for quite a bit. I think it's 300 00:11:13,355 --> 00:11:16,875 a combination. So my my thoughts is for 301 00:11:16,875 --> 00:11:18,654 us as as a clinicians, 302 00:11:18,955 --> 00:11:19,455 as, 303 00:11:20,875 --> 00:11:22,975 care providers, as as physician, 304 00:11:23,434 --> 00:11:25,409 we need to start thinking about how we 305 00:11:25,409 --> 00:11:26,470 can adopt 306 00:11:26,769 --> 00:11:28,389 that data driven mindset. 307 00:11:28,929 --> 00:11:30,230 We have a lot of data. 308 00:11:30,850 --> 00:11:31,350 Data, 309 00:11:31,809 --> 00:11:34,370 is power, but more powerful is what we're 310 00:11:34,370 --> 00:11:36,850 gonna do with the data, how we can 311 00:11:36,850 --> 00:11:38,789 deploy it to improve the care. 312 00:11:39,490 --> 00:11:43,024 Second is, you touch on the fostering collaboration. 313 00:11:43,404 --> 00:11:45,884 Take down the silos. Let's work on it 314 00:11:45,884 --> 00:11:47,345 together. It's a multidisciplinary 315 00:11:47,884 --> 00:11:49,264 approach in health care. 316 00:11:49,884 --> 00:11:52,764 The third part is, we all love the 317 00:11:52,764 --> 00:11:55,485 complexity, but it's a time to think about 318 00:11:55,485 --> 00:11:57,199 how we can simplify it, 319 00:11:57,740 --> 00:11:59,199 simplify in our design, 320 00:11:59,819 --> 00:12:02,000 and and bring it down to the simple 321 00:12:02,059 --> 00:12:03,980 task, like, how we could, 322 00:12:04,459 --> 00:12:06,240 serve our patients at the bedside. 323 00:12:06,939 --> 00:12:09,100 My last part is gonna go back about, 324 00:12:09,845 --> 00:12:12,345 how we can stay informed and and bring 325 00:12:12,485 --> 00:12:14,184 really the experience from, 326 00:12:14,965 --> 00:12:15,465 many, 327 00:12:16,884 --> 00:12:18,264 I'm gonna use the term 328 00:12:18,644 --> 00:12:19,785 podcast or 329 00:12:20,325 --> 00:12:22,105 bigger media outlets 330 00:12:22,759 --> 00:12:25,899 or how we can exchange ideas, something, like, 331 00:12:27,399 --> 00:12:29,100 our Becker's health care, 332 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:31,399 we need to learn from each other. We 333 00:12:31,399 --> 00:12:33,820 need to gauge. We need to start evolving 334 00:12:33,879 --> 00:12:36,200 and and leave that again how we, 335 00:12:37,535 --> 00:12:39,955 thought about solving problem priori. 336 00:12:40,815 --> 00:12:44,495 Let's let's collaborate more. Let's see more of, 337 00:12:44,815 --> 00:12:45,315 our, 338 00:12:45,855 --> 00:12:47,715 peer review publications. And, 339 00:12:48,495 --> 00:12:51,455 outlets would help us also connect leaders, and, 340 00:12:52,090 --> 00:12:54,730 what worked on the West Coast will work 341 00:12:54,730 --> 00:12:56,330 on the East Coast if we know how 342 00:12:56,330 --> 00:13:00,570 to adopt that mindset of let's collaborate, let's 343 00:13:00,570 --> 00:13:02,190 create a multidisciplinary 344 00:13:02,570 --> 00:13:05,289 approach, and let's keep thinking about the patient. 345 00:13:05,289 --> 00:13:05,684 So 346 00:13:06,164 --> 00:13:08,884 it's probably more on us rather than the 347 00:13:08,884 --> 00:13:11,625 technology itself. We need to have that agility 348 00:13:11,684 --> 00:13:12,825 mindset, and, 349 00:13:13,284 --> 00:13:14,904 we need to learn from each other. 350 00:13:15,524 --> 00:13:17,125 I love that. I really feel like that 351 00:13:17,125 --> 00:13:19,524 collaboration you're talking about is so critical. And, 352 00:13:19,524 --> 00:13:20,085 you know, your, 353 00:13:21,450 --> 00:13:22,590 note on the agility 354 00:13:23,129 --> 00:13:24,429 mindset is truly, 355 00:13:25,210 --> 00:13:27,929 important, especially as there's so many changes happening 356 00:13:27,929 --> 00:13:29,149 in the health care space, 357 00:13:29,610 --> 00:13:30,110 rapidly 358 00:13:30,649 --> 00:13:33,389 even these days. And so having that ability 359 00:13:33,450 --> 00:13:36,429 to move quickly to make changes and really, 360 00:13:37,004 --> 00:13:38,764 know where you're at as a team is 361 00:13:38,764 --> 00:13:40,764 so critical. Now it seems that there are 362 00:13:40,764 --> 00:13:42,684 a lot of opportunities in the next year, 363 00:13:42,684 --> 00:13:44,764 but, also, I know there are headwinds and 364 00:13:44,764 --> 00:13:46,605 challenges. What are some of those, 365 00:13:47,485 --> 00:13:49,884 potential roadblocks that you're anticipating for the next 366 00:13:49,884 --> 00:13:50,705 year or two? 367 00:13:51,889 --> 00:13:54,709 My focus, Laura, on on main two, 368 00:13:56,049 --> 00:13:56,549 domains, 369 00:13:57,649 --> 00:13:59,750 how we can think about the cost and, 370 00:14:00,449 --> 00:14:01,669 how the cost 371 00:14:02,209 --> 00:14:04,049 distribution or allocation in health care would look 372 00:14:04,049 --> 00:14:04,230 like. Many, aspects of how we will be 373 00:14:04,230 --> 00:14:04,789 paid for the care, 374 00:14:06,794 --> 00:14:07,294 how 375 00:14:07,714 --> 00:14:08,214 we 376 00:14:08,634 --> 00:14:09,214 will be 377 00:14:09,674 --> 00:14:11,674 paid for the care, will be changing, and 378 00:14:11,674 --> 00:14:12,654 we need to, 379 00:14:13,195 --> 00:14:16,575 bring that closer to our decision making and, 380 00:14:16,954 --> 00:14:19,514 think about how that subsidies would come from 381 00:14:19,514 --> 00:14:22,649 the payers, how we could be more vigilant 382 00:14:22,870 --> 00:14:25,990 of providing a care that is, again, value 383 00:14:25,990 --> 00:14:26,490 based. 384 00:14:27,190 --> 00:14:29,509 The second part as as a regional chief 385 00:14:29,509 --> 00:14:30,409 medical officer, 386 00:14:31,110 --> 00:14:33,029 we do have a lot in health care. 387 00:14:33,029 --> 00:14:34,570 We owe it to our 388 00:14:35,084 --> 00:14:37,485 clinicians in nursing at the bedside, and and 389 00:14:37,485 --> 00:14:40,065 the goal is is to start bringing 390 00:14:40,684 --> 00:14:41,004 back, 391 00:14:41,884 --> 00:14:45,084 the preventing of burnout and and be there 392 00:14:45,084 --> 00:14:47,789 at the bedside and hear our teams and 393 00:14:48,350 --> 00:14:50,909 rethink about it. The data that came out, 394 00:14:51,549 --> 00:14:54,269 at least late, last year in 2024 395 00:14:54,269 --> 00:14:54,769 that 396 00:14:55,149 --> 00:14:57,949 probably we made some progress, but we still 397 00:14:57,949 --> 00:14:59,169 have a big burnout, 398 00:15:00,269 --> 00:15:00,769 across 399 00:15:01,164 --> 00:15:03,644 the spectrum of health care delivery. And we 400 00:15:03,644 --> 00:15:06,225 need to pay attention to our workforce and 401 00:15:06,285 --> 00:15:07,245 how we can, 402 00:15:07,725 --> 00:15:08,764 build that, 403 00:15:09,245 --> 00:15:09,745 trust 404 00:15:10,205 --> 00:15:12,544 so we can sustain our workforce 405 00:15:12,845 --> 00:15:14,945 and and build on it from there. 406 00:15:16,230 --> 00:15:17,929 One maybe quick plug, 407 00:15:18,789 --> 00:15:20,330 about the headwind is, 408 00:15:20,950 --> 00:15:22,409 collaboration and the culture. 409 00:15:22,789 --> 00:15:23,929 We need to have, 410 00:15:24,870 --> 00:15:27,769 more of innovation. Innovation would require, 411 00:15:28,565 --> 00:15:31,365 rethinking how we can collaborate and how we 412 00:15:31,365 --> 00:15:31,865 can 413 00:15:32,245 --> 00:15:35,465 modify the culture so we can integrate faster. 414 00:15:36,565 --> 00:15:39,705 That would happen when we put our clinicians 415 00:15:39,924 --> 00:15:40,424 in, 416 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:43,759 that model for us as a leader to 417 00:15:43,759 --> 00:15:45,220 take care of our, 418 00:15:45,759 --> 00:15:49,139 clinicians of our workforce so they could do, 419 00:15:49,679 --> 00:15:50,820 their job and, 420 00:15:51,279 --> 00:15:54,480 us as as leaders in health care, be 421 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:55,335 there for them. 422 00:15:55,894 --> 00:15:56,394 Burnout 423 00:15:56,855 --> 00:15:59,495 went down, but went down in in in 424 00:15:59,495 --> 00:16:00,795 one digit. We're still, 425 00:16:01,254 --> 00:16:03,195 trying to struggle with, 426 00:16:03,735 --> 00:16:06,054 the 50% that we need to make sure 427 00:16:06,054 --> 00:16:09,254 our workforce will be there a decade, two 428 00:16:09,254 --> 00:16:12,100 decades, ten decades from now to serve our 429 00:16:12,100 --> 00:16:12,600 patients. 430 00:16:13,860 --> 00:16:15,720 Maybe, I am optimistic. 431 00:16:16,100 --> 00:16:18,500 I I know that we could do it. 432 00:16:18,899 --> 00:16:19,720 Our data, 433 00:16:20,660 --> 00:16:21,960 showing more promising. 434 00:16:22,580 --> 00:16:24,680 We need to open our mind, and, 435 00:16:25,060 --> 00:16:25,560 we, 436 00:16:26,065 --> 00:16:26,725 the leaders, 437 00:16:27,105 --> 00:16:29,044 take care of everybody around us. 438 00:16:29,985 --> 00:16:31,584 That really makes a lot of sense. And, 439 00:16:31,584 --> 00:16:35,184 certainly, having that strong leadership approach to ensure 440 00:16:35,184 --> 00:16:36,004 others are, 441 00:16:36,384 --> 00:16:38,304 connecting on the right level and, 442 00:16:39,059 --> 00:16:41,460 really feel like they're comfortable in their positions. 443 00:16:41,460 --> 00:16:42,679 I know you as you mentioned, 444 00:16:43,059 --> 00:16:44,519 it can be such a challenge, 445 00:16:44,980 --> 00:16:47,639 with the burnout recently and certainly 446 00:16:48,100 --> 00:16:50,340 having a lot of, stressful situations in the 447 00:16:50,340 --> 00:16:52,500 health care delivery space. And so being able 448 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:52,845 to, 449 00:16:53,485 --> 00:16:54,784 really have them, 450 00:16:55,564 --> 00:16:57,985 continue to grow and develop and leverage, 451 00:16:58,524 --> 00:17:01,084 whatever you're able to, the technology side as 452 00:17:01,084 --> 00:17:03,964 well is critical. Now you you might touch 453 00:17:03,964 --> 00:17:06,140 on this briefly, but when you think about, 454 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:08,920 everything that will be upcoming over the next 455 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:10,859 few years in the health care space, 456 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:11,820 it takes 457 00:17:12,519 --> 00:17:14,859 a a really astute leader, to be successful. 458 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:16,840 So how are you evolving as a leader 459 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:18,599 given some of these challenges as well as 460 00:17:18,599 --> 00:17:19,340 big opportunities? 461 00:17:20,505 --> 00:17:23,964 I always thought about the humility and 462 00:17:24,585 --> 00:17:26,684 being humble on in learning. 463 00:17:27,545 --> 00:17:28,285 Me personally, 464 00:17:29,945 --> 00:17:31,005 I would say 465 00:17:31,705 --> 00:17:33,464 I need to learn more. We need to 466 00:17:33,464 --> 00:17:34,680 learn more about, 467 00:17:35,559 --> 00:17:37,100 what we could do better 468 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,059 and open our eyes and and really reflect 469 00:17:40,119 --> 00:17:40,940 back in. 470 00:17:41,799 --> 00:17:43,720 One of the one of the newer, I 471 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:44,480 would say, 472 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:46,059 trends is, 473 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:50,595 with AI replace my work as as a 474 00:17:50,654 --> 00:17:52,755 a scheduler for a big group 475 00:17:53,294 --> 00:17:55,794 or someone who could help the patient navigate 476 00:17:56,255 --> 00:17:59,054 the EHR to get their appointments? The answer 477 00:17:59,054 --> 00:18:02,274 is what we know, and I'm gonna reflect 478 00:18:02,335 --> 00:18:04,019 on at least my experience. 479 00:18:04,799 --> 00:18:05,539 We want 480 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:07,619 to do what we do better, 481 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:10,720 and we will likely see some changes in 482 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:13,460 our workforce, but we need to also 483 00:18:13,839 --> 00:18:15,299 be ahead of that innovation. 484 00:18:15,839 --> 00:18:18,345 And, Lara, we we talked about it. We're 485 00:18:18,345 --> 00:18:21,144 probably at that inflection point that we always 486 00:18:21,144 --> 00:18:24,285 mention where we have the traditional care delivery 487 00:18:24,424 --> 00:18:25,565 and massive innovation 488 00:18:26,265 --> 00:18:28,424 ahead of us. And if we want to 489 00:18:28,424 --> 00:18:31,724 thrive, if we want to maintain our commitment 490 00:18:31,785 --> 00:18:34,049 to our community, to our patient, We need 491 00:18:34,049 --> 00:18:36,230 to rethink about the adaptability 492 00:18:37,009 --> 00:18:39,669 and and keep it specifically around, 493 00:18:40,049 --> 00:18:41,829 what would be the best for the patient. 494 00:18:42,369 --> 00:18:45,490 Think big. Think about reimagining how we can 495 00:18:45,490 --> 00:18:46,549 deliver care. 496 00:18:46,964 --> 00:18:47,704 Our population 497 00:18:48,005 --> 00:18:51,365 needs our care. Let's keep building on this, 498 00:18:51,365 --> 00:18:53,944 and and if you have a great example, 499 00:18:54,005 --> 00:18:54,744 share it. 500 00:18:55,204 --> 00:18:57,924 I personally will not hold it back. And 501 00:18:57,924 --> 00:18:58,585 I'm asking 502 00:18:59,220 --> 00:19:01,859 every leader listening to the podcast, exchange your 503 00:19:01,859 --> 00:19:04,119 ideas. This is how we could do better. 504 00:19:04,339 --> 00:19:06,019 And my part is I would love to 505 00:19:06,019 --> 00:19:08,819 listen, engage, and and take the experience and 506 00:19:08,819 --> 00:19:10,039 bring it to my institute. 507 00:19:11,075 --> 00:19:13,394 That's fantastic. Doctor Barkuda, thank you so much 508 00:19:13,394 --> 00:19:15,075 for joining us on the podcast today. This 509 00:19:15,075 --> 00:19:17,015 has been a a really fun and fascinating 510 00:19:17,154 --> 00:19:18,914 conversation, and we look forward to connecting with 511 00:19:18,914 --> 00:19:19,894 you again soon. 512 00:19:20,452 --> 00:19:21,972 Thank you, Laura, for having me, and I 513 00:19:21,972 --> 00:19:23,673 appreciate the opportunity and, 514 00:19:24,132 --> 00:19:26,692 the insights that I always learned from Becker's. 515 00:19:26,692 --> 00:19:27,833 Thank you very much.