BOONE- National health care reform in the United States is a widely discussed current topic, but Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) president and chief executive officer Dr. Allen Dobson says the key to finding a remedy for health care in the US starts on a much smaller scale.
"Healthcare is changing... and if you aren't confused then you haven't been paying attention," said Dobson in his address during the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Distinguished Lecture Series sponsored by Appalachian State University's Beaver College of Health Sciences.
Instead of starting at the national level, Dobson and CCNC are examining small town and local community health care in North Carolina. Dobson observed the interconnectedness of primary care physicians with local health services, agencies, and professionals in his home town of Mount Pleasant, NC. He said, "It's not just about hospitals. It's not just about primary care."
As a physician, Dobson also recognized health professionals have unique knowledge about local population care and needs in a specific area. Helping local health professionals cultivate networks and partnerships are what, "it takes to care for a community," Dobson said.
Dobson impressed the importance of looking for less immediately apparent connections in areas of care and developing an expanded view of patient needs. Less obvious patient needs frequently inform more direct concerns. "People with chronic disease are often not compliant because we haven't addressed their mental health as well," said Dobson. He went on to say, "There's research validating this is the right way to go... And in this state: it does work."
Dobson showed a huge gap in US health care spending and what it gets in return compared to spending in other countries: "We probably spend more than 25-30% more than we need to for what we're getting." Dobson believes working to decrease the growth rate of health care spending over time is a better long-term solution than sharp monetary cuts.
Reducing this rate for NC is a key function of CCNC, as well as asking, "if you save money, how do you reintegrate it into health services?"
Dobson identified Appalachian and other universities as integral to improving health care for NC and the US. He challenged students to start, "having some accountability," and take responsibility for care in their communities.
More informatiom about Community Care of North Carolina is available on their website.
Dr. Allen Dobson
