Introduction
The national dialogue on healthcare policy provides a forum for physician-industry collaboration and discussion of critical issues to provide a way forward on emerging healthcare issues. Currently, two initiatives; the National Dialogue for Healthcare Innovation (NDHI) and the National Dialogue on Health Information Technology (NDHIT) and privacy, have been undertaken to seek consensus on various issues facing the healthcare system. To meet the challenges facing the healthcare industry, a collaborative approach is important.
The National Dialogue Initiatives
Innovation in the healthcare system is important in achieving better patient outcomes, combating diseases, and reducing costs. To facilitate innovation, certain policies and systems must be in place to address innovation-related issues. The NDHI promotes physician-industry collaboration by providing a forum where various interest groups come together to discuss issues pertaining to innovation in the healthcare system (Roberts, & Reich, 2002, p.155). Its mandate is to establish policies and systems that would promote the development of technologies and innovations that would enhance the health of the citizens.
The national dialogue on health information technology and privacy represent a more collaborative approach that engages the public on health IT and privacy issues. The initiative involves three core components viz. use of content that contributes to informed discussion, creating public awareness, which ensures public participation, and use of technology to analyze participant input. Professional advice, particularly from nurses, ensures informed decisions by the policymakers particularly on their preference for electronic records to doctor’s handwritten patient records as a way to minimize medical errors.
Conclusion
The national dialogue involves the participation of educated professionals and healthcare practitioners, which enhances content quality. The participant’s input has direct relevance to patient care discoveries, best practices by nurses and the discovery of new technologies. Collaboration such as electronic data sharing particularly among practitioners is important in the development of new technologies to treat certain diseases, which would ultimately result in improved patient care.
Reference List
Kingdon, J. (2001). A model of agenda-setting with applications. Law Review, 2, 330-333.
Roberts, M., & Reich, M. (2002). Ethical analysis in public health. The Lancet, 35(9), 154-157.
Stone, D. (2001). Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision-making. New York: W. W. Norton & Co.