HealthNex: Medical Decision Support @ IBM

I just noticed this bulletin on IBM's intranet about the company's new effort to improve healthcare for IBM employees.

Personalized, up-to-date medical research to help IBMers and their dependents

"Advancements in medical technology, particularly diagnostic tools and treatments, are being developed at an ever-accelerating pace. For nearly every known diagnosis or condition, you can find reams of material – but it's not always easy to separate the reliable, accepted medical practice from inaccurate, experimental or outdated recommendations.

The sheer volume of information can overwhelm even experienced medical professionals. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, it can take doctors up to three years to learn about new medical best practices, and another seven to adopt them.

That's where Medical Decision Support™ - IBM’s newest medical resource for employees – comes in.

"IBM has invested significantly in programs and resources that can help our employees become informed partners in their own health care treatment," said Dr. Martin Sepulveda, vice president, Global Well-Being and Health Benefits. "Medical Decision Support is a highly personalized service to help those with serious or complex medical conditions understand the latest medical research, so they can team with their doctors to find the most appropriate treatment."

Medical Decision Support is a telephone-based service offered through Consumer's Medical Resource, a firm that specializes in medical information. It is available at no cost to all U.S. employees and family members who are eligible for IBM health benefits.

Medical Decision Support offers current, comprehensive, objective information on 59 acute and chronic medical conditions. When you call, you will be assigned a research team led by a physician affiliated with one of America’s top five medical schools. Based on an initial interview, general medical history and treatment preferences, the team will compile a personalized research report that you can review with your doctor, including a list of 10 condition-specific questions to ask.

After you have had a week to examine the information, a member of the research team will call you back to see if you have questions or need more information. If you have questions about the information provided, the physician is also available to speak with you."