Value-Based Healthcare in a Mental Health Clinic: A Nursing Reflection

This reflective paper explores the author's experience as a nurse practitioner in a small mental health clinic, focusing on the shift to value-based healthcare delivery. The paper examines the implications of this model, where payments are based on the value of care provided rather than the number of visits or tests. The author discusses the benefits of value-based care, such as increased quality of care and reduced costs through financial incentives and patient-centered approaches. The reflection highlights the challenges, including the need for improved measurement of mental health care performance. The author emphasizes the clinic's efforts in providing integrated and effective treatment, fostering strong patient-provider relationships, and utilizing advanced technology and data. The paper concludes by acknowledging that value-based care is still a relatively new concept, with healthcare providers working to integrate appropriate systems into their workflows. The author also references supporting literature that details the value-based approach to patient care.

1
Running head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

2NURSING
Value-Based Health Care Delivery is referred to the framework developed for
bringing a reform and restructuring in the health care systems in communities with the
predominant objective of value for patients and improve their care experiences (Curtis et al.,
2016). In this paper, I would like to draw the attention on my journey till date as a nurse
practitioner working in a small mental health clinic. The clinic delivers mental health care to
patients coming from diverse backgrounds and who fall under different forms of the health
care payment system; self-payment, private insurance and county mental health system. The
implications of value-based services in my setting would be the key focus of this reflection.
During my tenure of practice at the mental health setting, the shift to value-based
reimbursement has changed the conventional model of healthcare delivery. In contrast to the
need of making payments for the number of visits and successive tests being done, patients
now are required to make their payments on the value of care that is being delivered to them.
I feel much of this drastic change has been overdue, and driving improvements are being
made in the recent past that has been long craved. Ever since the value-based insurance
system has been introduced in my setting, the aim that we professionals have is to increase
the quality of care delivered while the costs of the same remain reduced. Financial incentives
are now being used for the promotion of cost-effective services. Consumer choices are now
being more focused onto. While I deliver care to the patient, the concern for the expenses
takes a backseat as the focus is strictly on patient recovery. Patients visiting my setting suffer
from mental disorders whose treatment runs long and the expenses of which are high. As the
insurance cover preventive care, visits to the clinic and medications, the care plans outlined
for the patients save money through reduction of expensive procedures likely to be needed in
future. For deciding on to what treatment options are most cost-effective, evidence-based data
is being now used for designing the plans.

3NURSING
The patient-centred approach at present has replaced the one-off, episodic care. In this
regard, I would like to mention that the relationship between the patient and a care
professional has undergone a drastic change. The challenges facing proper mental healthcare
are not to be underestimated. Though value-based services have been incorporated, the
treatment of patients remain a concern. In spite of the reduced costs, the treatment provided
has not been adequate. The ways in which mental health care performance has been measured
have restricted the process of change. The measure includes public and personal safety,
establishement of community supports, retention in care, control of core symptoms of
illnesses (Mostashari et al. 2016).
At present, my setting includes most of the systematic approaches in the care plan for
patients that are required. Further, the clinic addresses the care needs of the patients
adequately. Onsite mental health professionals are hired who are pillars of strength for the
services provided. I personally recognise the significance of addressing behavioural issues of
patients and aim to care for each patient in an individual manner. The setting focuses on
treatment resources and case-finding efforts so that patients with diverse needs are cared for.
Treatment is done in a completely integrated manner and is therefore effective.
The team in which I work puts efforts to ensure that a mutually agreed-upon approach
is upheld. The managers assist us in providing care with incorporating new capabilities like
the use of advanced technology and data. We have the momentum, zest and presence to
positively encompass the self-funded customers in the visioned success. A variety of value-
based incentive programs are running at present at the setting that enables consumers to gain
benefits in bottom-line savings. The different types of payments depend solely on the type of
arrangement done for funding. We offer both clinical integration payments, and other
processes. We also receive a bonus based on a share of savings if the target is exceeded.

4NURSING
As healthcare providers, we deliver team-based methods, patient-centred care,
personal care management, population health management, care coordination, and
dependable quality care. Those who receive treatment at this setting are to except to develop
personal, one-on-one relationships with their care providers. The trusted relationship has been
build based on respect and reverence towards the patient as we determine the needs of the
patient based on medical and environmental factors. However, value-based care is a novice
concept in the industry as most healthcare providers are still attempting to contrivance the
appropriate systems into the workflow.

5NURSING
References
Curtis, J., Bernhard, L., Carlstrom, K. D., Gerds, A., Hudson, V., McLellan, L., ... & Majhail,
N. S. (2016). A Process for Identifying and Implementing BMT Value-Based Care
Initiatives: Cleveland Clinic Experience. Biology of Blood and Marrow
Transplantation, 22(3), S430.
Mostashari, F. (2016). The paradox of size: how small, independent practices can thrive in
value-based care. The Annals of Family Medicine, 14(1), 5-7.