The healthcare transforma­tion, though not without its challenges, has made remarkable progress as of late. The industry is working at breakneck speed to avoid the default future that many of us expected just a few years ago. The term “innovation” has become somewhat of a cliché. In fact, inno­vation can really no longer even be applied to healthcare. It no longer fits. Innovation indicates making changes to something established, yet the very nature of healthcare today is change.

One of the most exciting revolu­tions happening in the healthcare industry today is the develop­ment of new relationships. These relationships are being developed down both longitudinal and lati­tudinal lines. The combining of people maintaining different tem­peraments, talents and convic­tions with new technologies and processes will certainly translate into dramatic improvements in cost, quality, efficiency and, ulti­mately, patient outcomes.

To that end, one key opportu­nity in development is the concept of clinical research/trials as a care option within high-performing health systems and accountable care organizations. The sense of purpose between those that de­velop new therapeutics and those that deploy and use them has nev­er been in closer alignment.

The emerging realization can be further demonstrated only with time. Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author, journalist and staff writer for The New Yorker, described the tipping point as “that magic moment when an idea, order trend or social behav­ior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.” That tipping point is coming and it will forever change the way new therapeutics are developed and the relationship between big pharma, providers and their patients. It will be an­other one of many remarkable and welcome “innovations” in health­care’s transformational journey.

Written by Guest Writer Jeff James. James is the CEO of Wilmington Health. He is also the CEO of Physicians Healthcare Collaborative, which is Wilmington Health’s Accountable Care Organization. He holds a MBA from Eastern Illinois University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He has over 20 years’ experience as a healthcare executive. He is active in healthcare policy and has focused his career in the area of rapid organizational transformation. www.wilmingtonhealth.com

This article was reprinted from Volume 23, Issue 05, of The CenterWatch Monthly, an industry leading publication providing hard-hitting, authoritative business and financial coverage of the clinical research space. The Action Items section features short columns  focusing on actionable or how-to advice from clinical trial professionals. To submit an Action Item, please contact editorial@centerwatch.com. Subscribe >>