Final Thoughts

Arthur Garson, Jr, MD, MPH, and Patrick White share final insights about where the cardiovascular community is and where it is heading with regard to managing patients through transitions between healthcare settings.

Dr Garson comments that although overall patient care has improved tremendously, hospital readmission rates continue to pose a challenge. He suggests that healthcare professionals need to personalize care when helping their patients navigate through transitions of care.

Mr White adds that the cardiovascular community needs to better manage several components that play a role in transition-of-care scenarios. He notes that while focusing on a physician’s practice is important, all other parties involved in a patient’s care should also be managed. Mr White says that partnerships with physician executives and insurance companies will be important when designing more efficient programs for patients, payers, physicians, and hospitals.