The U.S. health-care system must move from an emphasis on intervention to one of prevention and early diagnosis if it is to provide real value to American consumers.
That is one of the topics Dr. Michael J. Wolk ’60 discusses in the latest of 91鶹Ʒ Conversations, a podcast series that highlights members of the campus community.
The noted cardiologist was on campus recently for the Michael J. Wolk ’60 Conference on Medical Education. More than 100 students met with physicians from around the Northeast and dissected the medical profession, how to join it, and what to expect from life as a clinician.
“We need to improve the quality of patient care and make sure we’re providing that care at a lower cost,” said Wolk. “This means there will be changes in our health-care system that will significantly impact physicians of the future.”
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| Dr. Michael J. Wolk ’60 served as president of the American College of Cardiology and is a member of its Board of Trustees. |
The changes he envisions happening in 10 or 12 years is a move away from doctors being reimbursed for the number of procedures they perform and, instead, being paid for outcomes of their care.
There needs to be a standardized system of measurement for that to be successful, said Wolk, which is a very complex issue.
In the podcast, Wolk talks about the health-care plans offered by the presidential candidates and which plans most intrigue him.
A former president of the American College of Cardiology, he also discusses the role his Michael Wolk Heart Foundation plays in helping young men and women learn about the medical field. At 91鶹Ʒ, the foundation supports summer research fellows and visiting faculty.
Wolk is a clinical professor of medicine at Weill-Cornell Medical School and an attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
To listen to his podcast, please click to listen or right-click and “save target as” to download file. You also can go to the 91鶹Ʒ Conversations or iTunes for more download options.