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Wunderkind Michael Anne Kyle on making patients’ lives easier
A path to change
Now, Kyle is working on several projects to make the health care system more patient-friendly. One study is examining how patients’ health insurance status affects their access to care. Another is looking at how health care providers can reduce administrative burdens for patients.
She’s also studying how the advent of telehealth during the Covid-19 pandemic may have shifted these burdens. Telehealth appointments are shorter, which might reduce some administrative tasks for patients, but there’s also evidence that providers bill more for telehealth visits, which could lead to higher costs for patients.
“It’s incumbent on us to figure out how to make the health care system easier for patients to navigate,” Kyle said. “Because if we don’t, we’re just going to continue to see these disparities in care.”
Chernew said he expects that Kyle will continue to make significant contributions to the field. “I think the work she’s doing is important and valuable,” he said. “It’s bringing an issue to the forefront that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention, and it’s one that’s really important for the health care system to address.”
As Kyle digs into these issues, her friends have become her champions. They’ve shared her research on social media, and they’ve told her they feel validated by her work.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully solve this problem,” Kyle said. “But I think there are ways to make it better. And I think that’s worth pursuing.”
Michael Anne Kyle: A Nurse Turned Researcher Shining Light on Health Care Administrative Burdens
Michael Anne Kyle, a Ph.D. student in health policy and management at Harvard Business School, has been making waves in the health care industry with her research on administrative burdens faced by patients. As an ICU nurse, Kyle noticed how her friends were struggling with the complexities of the health care system, leading her to investigate the non-financial costs that patients endure.
In a country where health care spending continues to rise, Kyle’s research sheds light on the hidden costs of navigating administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and resolving billing issues. She found that these burdens often lead patients to delay or forgo care, highlighting the need for systemic change.
Collaborating with health economist Austin Frakt, Kyle surveyed thousands of insured patients and found that administrative burdens were affecting patients as frequently as high financial costs. Their research, published in 2021, sparked a conversation about the need to address these issues in the health care system.
Now, as an assistant professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Kyle is working on projects to make the health care system more patient-friendly. She is studying the impact of telehealth on administrative burdens and exploring ways for health care providers to reduce these burdens for patients.
Kyle’s work has been praised for bringing attention to an overlooked issue in health care. Her dedication to improving patient care and reducing administrative burdens has earned her recognition as a rising star in the field. As she continues her research, Kyle remains committed to finding solutions that will make the health care system easier to navigate for all patients. The healthcare industry is facing challenges when it comes to patient access to care and the administrative burdens that both patients and medical professionals are experiencing. A recent survey revealed that many patients are giving up on treatments or medications because they are unable to navigate the complexities of scheduling and insurance approvals. This not only impacts patient outcomes but also adds to the workload of healthcare providers who are left to navigate the system on behalf of their patients.
Dr. Nancy Keating, a professor of health care policy and medicine at Harvard, shared her own experience of spending time on the phone trying to get a patient’s prescription approved. She emphasized the need for a system that is more patient-friendly and less burdensome for both patients and healthcare providers. Without a streamlined process, patients may face delays in care and potential consequences like disease progression.
One area of concern is the use of prior authorizations by insurance companies to manage healthcare costs. While the intention is to prevent unnecessary expenses, the reality is that prior authorizations can lead to delays in care. Research conducted by Dr. Kyle, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard, showed that requiring prior authorization for medications increased the likelihood of patients discontinuing their medication and delayed the next fill of their prescription. These delays can have negative impacts on patient health and well-being.
Moving forward, efforts are being made to quantify the impact of administrative burdens on patient care and explore potential solutions. Standardizing healthcare forms and implementing more nuanced prior authorization policies are some of the proposed changes that could make a difference. Dr. Kyle, now at UPenn, is working to link survey data and medical records to better understand how administrative burdens affect patient care and hopes that small changes can lead to a more user-friendly healthcare system.
In conclusion, while paperwork and administrative tasks may not seem glamorous, they play a crucial role in the healthcare system. By addressing these challenges and making the system more patient-centered, we can improve access to care and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. It is essential to prioritize patient needs and make the healthcare system more efficient and user-friendly for all stakeholders involved. The advancement of technology and its impact on society has been a topic of discussion for decades. With the rapid pace at which technology is evolving, it is important to understand the implications of these advancements on our daily lives.
One of the most significant impacts of technology on society is the way in which we communicate. With the rise of social media platforms, people are able to connect with others from all over the world in an instant. This has led to a more interconnected global community, where information is shared at lightning speed. However, this connectivity has also raised concerns about privacy and security, as personal information is vulnerable to hacking and misuse.
Another area where technology has had a profound impact is in the workplace. Automation and artificial intelligence have revolutionized industries, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. However, this has also resulted in job displacement, as machines are able to perform tasks that were once done by humans. This has led to a shift in the job market, with a greater emphasis on skills that are more difficult to automate, such as creativity and critical thinking.
Furthermore, technology has also changed the way we access information and consume media. The rise of streaming services has disrupted traditional forms of entertainment, such as television and movies. People are now able to watch their favorite shows and movies on demand, without having to adhere to a set schedule. This has led to a decline in traditional cable subscriptions and a rise in cord-cutting.
In addition, technology has had a profound impact on healthcare. The development of medical devices and telemedicine has made it easier for patients to receive care remotely, without having to visit a doctor in person. This has been particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, where access to healthcare services has been limited. Furthermore, advancements in genetic testing and personalized medicine have revolutionized the way we approach healthcare, leading to more targeted and effective treatments.
Overall, the impact of technology on society is undeniable. While it has brought about numerous benefits, such as increased connectivity and efficiency, it has also raised concerns about privacy, job displacement, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. As technology continues to advance, it is important for society to adapt and address these challenges in order to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future.
